ISLAMABAD: A parliamentary body on Thursday reviewed the legal framework for protection of heritage sites and expressed concern over encroachments around protected monuments and lack of coordination between federal and provincial authorities.

The meeting of Senate Standing Committee on National Heritage and Culture, headed by Senator Hidayatullah Khan at Parliament Lodges, also discussed the proposed National Museum of Pakistan at Shakarparian and directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture to resolve an outstanding land transfer issue to prevent the lapse of a $6.790 million Korean grant.

The committee expressed displeasure over the absence of senior CDA officials, particularly its chairman, during discussion of matters concerning national heritage.

The chairman directed that the Ministry of Interior be informed of the committee’s concerns and stressed that parliamentary committees should not be undermined through the absence of senior officials.

During a briefing on the legal framework, Senator Shahadat Awan, who had moved the agenda item, raised concerns over the condition of Ranikot Fort, which was on Unesco’s tentative list.

He said the federal government had not given adequate attention to its preservation.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2026