ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary panel on Monday urged the National Heritage and Culture Division to enhance the monthly stipend of deserving artists from the existing Rs15,000 to Rs25,000 per month.

This recommendation was made by Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture Chairman Dr Afnanullah Khan during a meeting at the Parliament House.

According to a press release issued by the Senate Secretariat, senior joint secretary Abdul Sattar from the National Heritage and Culture Divisiontold the committee that the division gave Rs15,000 per month as stipend to deserving artists.

“The chair maintained that Rs15,000 is not enough and directed the division to increase the stipend to Rs25,000 per month,” the press release stated.

Abdul Sattar told the Senate body that the primary function of the division was to preserve archaeological sites and promote art and culture in the country.

There are a total of 14 departments working under the umbrella of National Heritage and Culture Division with 1,036 employees. As many as 424 posts are vacant in the division and its concerned departments including the post of secretary and executive directors of allied departments, he said.

Senator Dr Afnanullah Khan suggested that the vacant posts be filled so that the division and its concerned departments could work effectively.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2022