No plans to close or merge historic bodies, assures premier during meeting with Senator Irfan Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has firmly dismissed any suggestion that the government intends to shut down or merge national institutions devoted to science, literature, culture, or history, reaffirming their central role in preserving Pakistan’s intellectual and civilisational heritage.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier reiterated his government’s full commitment to protecting and strengthening these institutions, amid rising concerns over potential downsizing or restructuring.
The assurance came during a meeting with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, Parliamentary Party Leader of the PML-N in the Senate, who conveyed the concerns of the literary and academic communities regarding possible changes to key cultural bodies.
“The sources of knowledge and literature are the soul of society,” the prime minister said. “We are proud of our civilisational and cultural legacy. There is no proposal under consideration to close or merge any scientific, literary, historical, or cultural institutions. In fact, we aim to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency.”
Siddiqui, a longtime advocate of literary development, urged the government to protect the legacy of intellectual forums that have served as platforms for creativity, critical thinking, and historical reflection. He recalled how former PM Nawaz Sharif’s administration had championed cultural and academic revival initiatives.
PM Shehbaz acknowledged that such institutions are vital to fostering critical thought, nurturing human values, and resisting the drift toward mechanical and emotionally disconnected societies. “Nations that abandon the sciences, arts, and humanities risk losing their creative and moral compass,” he noted.
To that end, the prime minister announced the formation of a special committee tasked with reviewing the operations of these institutions and recommending reforms to align them with contemporary needs.
Senator Siddiqui welcomed the prime minister’s assurances and thanked the government for standing by Pakistan’s academic and cultural pillars.
