ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Barrister Syed Ali Zafar on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to form a coordination committee for ensuring joint collaboration among the federation and the provinces on important matters related to national heritage.
He said the committee should perform its role in removing hurdles of technical and administrative nature among the federation and the provinces after the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The minister passed the directive at a briefing during his visit to the National History and Literary Heritage Division.
Barrister Ali Zafar said that joint cooperation and collaboration were needed among the federation and the provinces on matters concerning libraries, museums and historical places, and artifacts related to national heritage. “An effective mechanism of coordination is necessary to resolve issues faced by the federal and provincial institutions, as well as international donors,” he emphasised.
While directing the National History and Literary Heritage Division to prepare a working paper on various projects with clear objectives and deadlines, the minister said that Pakistan was the centre of some of the most ancient civilisations in the world.
“We are blessed with the world’s best historical places that can project the positive side of Pakistan. We have a lot to share with the world and we need to work closely on a proactive strategy that can attract global audience towards our rich cultural and historical heritage,” he said.
He stressed the need for sharing the national heritage of Pakistan with the rest of the world. He appreciated the renovation work of Mughal era Rohtas Fort in Rawat and instructed that the best quality of work should be ensured.
Barrister Zafar said, “Allah Almighty has given us an opportunity and we will work with renewed spirit and effectiveness to set a good example by performing well in a short span of time.” He lauded the collective efforts and steps taken by National History and Literary Heritage Division.
On this occasion, National History and Literary Heritage Division Joint Secretary Syed Junaid Ikhlaq gave a detailed briefing about the role and responsibilities of the division and its attached departments, its successes so far and targets for the future.
National History and Literary Heritage Division Federal Secretary Engineer Aamir Hasan, National Language Promotion Department Chairman Iftikhar Arif, National Book Foundation Managing Director Dr Inamul Haq Javed and senior officers of National History and Literary Heritage Division attended the meeting.
On the occasion, Engineer Hasan presented books published about civilisations and historical places of Pakistan to the information minister. Earlier, Engineer Hasan received Barrister Zafar on his arrival at the National History and Literary Heritage Division and introduced him to the heads of the division and its attached departments.
