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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16 (APP): The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture has unanimously approved two key pieces of legislation while directing authorities to accelerate preparations for commemorating Allama Iqbal’s upcoming 150th birthday through multimedia projects and youth engagement initiatives.
In its fifth meeting held Tuesday at Parliament House, the committee greenlit The Iqbal Academy (Amendment) Act, 2025, and The National Fund for Culture Heritage (Amendment) Act, 2025, marking significant legislative progress for cultural preservation efforts.
The committee, chaired by Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, directed the Iqbal Academy Pakistan to expand its ongoing documentation project by reaching out to the third generation of Allama Iqbal’s descendants to gather additional material for a commemorative book ahead of the poet-philosopher’s 150th birth anniversary.
The Academy has already recorded interviews with Iqbal’s son and daughter, which are currently being compiled for publication.
In a push to engage younger audiences, the committee recommended that the Academy produce and televise a documentary or film about Iqbal’s life and works, with content to be distributed across social media platforms.
Provincial governments, celebrities, and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman have been asked to participate in year-long celebrations planned across educational institutions nationwide.
The committee also called for the establishment of a National Museum in Islamabad and recommended that all heritage sites be placed under federal rather than provincial jurisdiction to ensure uniform preservation standards.
The Pakistan National Council of the Arts briefed members on plans to enhance publicity for cultural events through digital and traditional media channels. The committee suggested organizing guided tours of PNCA galleries for foreign
parliamentarians, students, and the general public as both a cultural promotion tool and revenue generator.
In the meeting’s final session, the Evacuee Trust Property Board presented updates on renovation work at gurdwaras in Daska and Peshawar, along with a comprehensive overview of religious sites under federal and provincial management.
The meeting was attended by ten women lawmakers and senior officials from the National Heritage and Culture Division, Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, and Ministry of Law.