Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday excluded any plans to close or merge national institutions devoted to science, literature, history and culture, stating that such organizations form a significant part of the country’s intellectual and civilization inheritance.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s office, the leader confirmed his government’s obligation to preserve and strengthen these institutions, in the midst of growing concerns about possible rightsization measures.
He made these comments during a meeting with Senator Irfan Siddiqui, parliamentary party leader of the Pakistani Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in the Senate, which conveyed the fear of literary and academic society over the potential downgrade or dissolution of central cultural bodies. “The sources of knowledge and literature are the soul of society,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.
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“We possess a rich civilizing and cultural capital, of which the entire nation is rightly proud. There is no proposal that is considered to close or merge institutions of scientific, literary, historical or cultural significance. On the contrary, efforts will be made to make these bodies more efficient and effective.”
Siddiqui, which has long been associated with the country’s literary circles, called on the Prime Minister to protect the legacy of such institutions. He remembered the weight that was placed on academic and cultural development during the previous term of office by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as several initiatives were launched to revive and support intellectual forums.
In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the role of such institutions in nurturing critical thought and human values. “Society that neglects science, literature and art falls prey for mechanical thinking and loses subtle human emotions,” he noted.
He also announced the formation of a dedicated committee to review the function of these institutions and recommends reforms aimed at adapting them with the requirements of modern times.
Siddiqui welcomed the prime insurance policies and expressed gratitude for the government’s attitude to support academic and cultural spaces.
