Lack of resources mars Lok Virsa activities: parliamentary panel informed

A parliamentary panel was informed on Thursday that owing to insufficient resources, Lok Virsa is facing difficulties to establish offices in the four provincial capitals and FATA. The Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas met with Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar in the chair to discuss the arrears to be paid to staff, artists, singers, etc, of PTV Quetta; consider the establishment of Lok Virsa offices in capitals of all the four provinces (Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta) and FATA; and discuss the performance of Lok Virsa Islamabad.
Executive Director Lok Virsa Dr Fauzia informed the committee that despite the parliamentary panel's recommendation for earmarking Rs 500 million in the budget, only Rs 3 million were earmarked. About opening of Lok Virsa offices in the capitals of all four provinces (Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta) and FATA, the committee was informed that funds are not sufficient, due to which Lok Virsa is facing problems. However, it was further informed that several steps have been taken for promotion and recognition of culture, tradition and local languages. Several steps have been taken for the assistance of actors, actresses and singers belonging to the far-flung and less-developed areas.
The committee chairman recommended that Civil Aviation Authority should provide cabins to Lok Virsa at airports so that people going outside may purchase CDs and promote Pakistani languages, culture and traditions at international level. The committee chairman urged that Balochistan should no more be ignored. He said no proposal for shutting down PTV Bolan would be accepted. The committee recommended the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage to release PTV Balochistan funds by December 20 so that outstanding amounts of actors, actresses and singers may be paid, besides improving offices, cameras and other equipment. The committee expressed annoyance over the absence of secretary information and broadcasting and decided to issue a notice in this regard.