Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stated that the government is not considering any proposal to shut down or merge national institutions of academic, literary, historical, or cultural significance.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with PML-N Parliamentary Leader in the Upper House, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, who met him in Islamabad today. Emphasizing the importance of these institutions, the Prime Minister described them as the spirit of society and highlighted Pakistan’s rich heritage of civilization and culture as a source of national pride. Instead of shutting down these institutions, he expressed the government’s commitment to strengthening them to combat extremism and promote Pakistan’s true soft image on the global stage.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui shared with the Prime Minister the concerns of intellectuals, writers, poets, and artists regarding the recommendations of the government’s rightsizing committee to potentially shut down or merge scholastic institutions. He reminded Shehbaz Sharif of the special attention these institutions received during ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, when their performance was highly appreciated across various sectors of society.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif further remarked that societies that neglect knowledge, literature, and the fine arts can fall into mechanical thinking, losing the delicate human emotions. He announced the government’s plan to form a committee aimed at improving the management, performance, and scope of these institutions to align with modern demands.
Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his definitive stance on supporting academic and literary institutions.