Islamabad, 28th December, 2017; 47th meeting of the Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage was held today under the Chairmanship of Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla, MNA.

2.         The meeting started with the recitation from the Holy Quran. Then, the Committee decided to proceed with the agenda.

3.         The Committee unanimously confirmed the minutes of its previous meetings held on 29th November, 2017.

4.         The Committee considered “The Redistributive Land Reforms Bill, 2017” (moved by Mr. S.A. Iqbal Quadri, MNA) and after detail deliberation the Committee unanimously recommended that the Bill may not be passed by the Assembly. The Committee also considered the Report of the Sub-Committee on “the Protection of Journalists Bill, 2014 (moved by Sahibzada Tariq Ullah, MNA) and approved the recommendations of the Sub-Committee and recommended that Bill may not be passed by the Assembly.

5.         The representative of Lok Virsa briefed the Committee at length about the steps taken by Lok Virsa for the promotion, preservation and protection of Cultural History and National Heritage. The Committee appreciated the steps and efforts made by the Lok Virsa Management for uplifting, promotion and protection of Culture Heritage including National Languages. The Representative of the Lok Virsa presented budgetary allocation and its utilization by Lok Virsa in written form for perusal of the Honorable Members of the Committee. It was recommended by the Committee to present the same at power point in its next meeting.

6.         The Committee visited the Culture Heritage Museum maintained by the Management of Lok Virsa. The Committee was also briefed by the representative about the Diorama’s and various others monuments displayed in the museum representing various Cultural Heritage and Civilizations. The Committee appreciated the efforts and steps taken and planned to be taken by the Lok Virsa Management. The Committee recommended that the short video clips from the Lok Mela or other events organized by Lok Virsa for promotion of Culture should be uploaded at YouTube so that it will be easily accessible to public at large. It was also recommended by the Committee to initiate Lok Mela festivals at district level across the country so that the young generation will be well aware about the Cultural History of the country.

7.         The Hon. Members Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Mr. Muhammad Khan Daha, Mian Muhammad Farooq, Mr. Tahir Iqbal Ch., Ms. Zeb Jaffar, Ch. Muhammad Tufail, MNA’s attended the meeting besides Minister of State, Mr. S.A. Iqbal Quadri, MNA/Mover, senior officers of the Ministry of Information Broadcasting and Lok Virsa attended the meeting.