NA passes cultural heritage fund amendment bill

ISLAMABAD, Apr 02 (APP):The National Assembly of Pakistan on Thursday passed the National Fund for Cultural Heritage (Amendment) Bill, 2026, with a majority vote.

The bill was presented by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhary. According to the statement of objects and reasons, the original law, passed in 1994, was meant to protect and preserve Pakistan’s national heritage. It was later amended through an ordinance in 2002.

The fund aims to support the protection of archaeological, historical, architectural, and cultural heritage through financial and technical help, while also raising public awareness about the country’s history.

The new amendments were proposed after instructions from the Cabinet Division issued on May 13, 2025, to replace the term “Federal Government” with the relevant authority in existing laws and rules.

The draft amendments were reviewed by the Ministry of Law and Justice. They were approved by the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases on October 8, 2025, and later ratified by the federal cabinet on October 16, 2025.

Meanwhile, the session was adjourned till Friday at 11:30 am due to a lack of quorum pointed out by MNA Muhammad Aslam Ghumman.