National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ordinance, 2002

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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOLK AND TRADITIONAL 
HERITAGE (LOK VIRSA) ORDINANCE, 2002 
 
 
 
 CONTENTS 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement  
2.  Definitions  
3.  Establishment of the Institute  
4.  Functions and Powers of the Institute  
5.  Power of the Federal Government to issue directives  
6.  Board of Governors 
7.  Terms of Office of the Members of the Board 
8.  Meetings 
9.  Executive Committee 
10. Executive Director 
11.  Delegation of Powers 
12.  Validity of Proceedings 
13.  Appointment of Officers etc.  
14.  Members, officers etc., to be public servants 
15.  Funds 
16.  Budget 
17.  Maintenance of accounts and audit 
18.  Annual Report 
 
 

 
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19.  Indemnity 
20.  Transfer of civil servants etc., to the Institute 
23.  Winding up 
24. Removal of difficulties   
25.  Repeal and savings 
 
 
  
 
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THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOLK AND TRADITIONAL 
HERITAGE (LOK VIRSA) ORDINANCE, 2002 
 
ORDINANCE NO. LIV OF 2002 
          [17th September, 2002] 
An Ordinance to provide for reconstitution of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage 
(Lok Virsa) to effectively preserve indigenous cultural heritage to project true identity of Pakistan 
AND WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the reconstitution of the National Institute of 
Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), and for matter connected herewith or ancillary thereto; 
AND WHEREAS  the President is satisfied that circumstances  exist  which  rend er  it 
necessary to take immediate action; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day 
of October, 1999, and the Provisional Constitution Order No. l of 1 999, read with the Provisional 
Constitution (Amendment) Order No. 9 of 1999, and in exerc ise of all powers enabling him  in that 
behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to make and promu lgate the 
following Ordinance:― 
 1. Short title, extent and commencement.__ (1)  This Ordinance may be called the National 
Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) Ordinance, 2002.  
 (2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
 (3) It shall come into force at once. 
 2. Definitions .__In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repugn ant in the subject or 
context,― 
(a)  “Board” means the Board of Governors of the Institute;  
(b)  “Chairman” means the Chairman of the Board; 
(c)  “Executive committee” means the Executive Committee of the Board; 
(d)  “Executive Director” means the Executive Director of the Institute;  
(e)  “Fund” means fund of the Institute; 
(f) “Institute” means the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) 
established by the  Government of Pakistan vide its Resolution No.F.10 - 11/82― 
Admn, dated the 19th June, 1983; 
(g)  “prescribed”‘ means prescribed by rules or regulations; 
(h)  “regulations” means the regulations made under this Ordinance; and 
(i)  “rules” means the rules made under this Ordinance. 
 3. Establishment of the Institute .― (1) The National Institute of Folk and Traditional 
Heritage (Lok Virsa) as reconstituted in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be a 
body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal with powers, subject to the 
provisions of this Ordinance, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both mov eable and 
immovable, and shall by the said name sue and be sued. 
 
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 (2) The head office of the Institute shall be at Islamabad. 
 (3) The Institute may, with the approval of the Federal Government, from time to time 
establish regional offices, local offices and research establishments at such places as it may deem fit. 
 4. Functions and Powers of the Institute .__The functions and pow ers of the Institute shall 
be― 
(a) to engage in  research, systematic collection, documentation, scientific preservation, 
projection and dissemination of oral tradition, folklore and other aspects of indigenous 
cultural heritage; 
(b) to aim at strengthening and nurturing the roots of Pakistan culture  and to achieve 
fundamental objectives regarding its re discovery and reinterpretation  to project the 
true identity of Pakistan; 
(c) to establish cultural complexes and museums for the pur pose of displaying living arts 
and crafts, cultural artifacts and, rare objects from all parts of Pakistan; 
(d) establish cultural industries, art and craft galleries, artisan villages and to hold and 
organize festivals; 
(e) to retrieve advance knowledge of the general public and promotion of cultural 
heritage and cultural industries of Pakistan; 
(f) to carry out studies, investigations, surveys, to collect data to prepare feasibility report 
about schemes, projects and programmes to the extent required for fulfilling the 
objects; 
(g) to arrange  and provide t raining and technical assistance to its staff as well as 
participating  NGOs  and  community  based  organizations,  educational  institutions 
through  training programmes, purchase  of  existing  services,  workshops,  seminars, 
publications  and  trainin g programmes and  scholarships  within  Pakistan  or  in  
such other countries as the Board may deem appropriate; 
(h) to improve knowledge, understanding and  practices of different aspects of indigenous   
cultural   heritage and  to devise ways and means for a  broader dissemination through 
employment of modern media technologies; 
(i) to establish centres of excellence and to activate existing institutions and build or 
innovate   new   institutions   and   forge   mutually   beneficial   private/  public   
sector partnerships; 
(j)  to prepare and implement such other  plans and programmes to promote  cultural 
heritage of Pakistan; 
(k) to promote cultural heritage such that it plays its rightful ro le in developmental issues 
such as economic reforms, investmen t, industry, education, literature,  poverty 
alleviation, human rights and human development; 
(1) to cause to be prepared and implemented such schemes and programmes for the 
promotion of welfare of its employees; and 
(m)  to do all such other things as are necessary  or incidental  to the promotion  or 
advancement of the objects of the Institute. 
 
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 5. Power of the Federal Government to issue directives .__The Federal Government may, 
as and when it considers necessary, issue directives to the  Institute on matters of policy , and such 
directives shall be binding on the Institute, and if a question arises whether any matter is a policy 
matter or not, the decision of the Federal Government shall be final. 
  6. Board of Governors.__ (1) The overall control, direction and superintendence of the affairs 
of the Institute shall vest in a Board of Governors consisting of the following members, namely: __ 
(a)    Minister for Culture Chairman. 
(b)    Secretary (Culture) Vice-Chairman. 
(c)     Financial Adviser Member. 
(d)     Executive Director Member. 
(e)     three   eminent   persons   in the    
field of cultural heritage Members. 
(f)      three   persons   from   non-
government financial and corporate              
sector……….. 
Members. 
 
 (2) The members, other than ex-officio members, shall be appointed by the Federal  
Government and shall hold office during the pleasure of the Federal Government.  
 (3) The Executive Director shall act as Secretary of the Board. 
 7. Terms of Office of the Members of the Board .―(1) Subject to sub-section (2) of section 
6 the members of the Board, other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a term of three years 
and shall be eligible for reappointment , but no person shall hold that office for more than two 
consecutive terms:  
Provided that a person shall be eligible for reappo intment after break of one term  of his 
office. 
 (2) Any causal vacancy in the office of a member, other than ex-officio member, s hall be 
filled by a person nominated by the Federal Government and the person so nominated shall hold 
office for remainder of the term of office. 
 (3) A member of the Board, other  than ex-officio member may resign from office by 
submitting his resignation in writing to the Chairman: 
 Provided that the resignation shal l take effect from the date it  is accepted by the  Federal 
Government. 
 8. Meetings.__ (1)The meeting of the Board shall be held at least twice a year and shall be 
presided over by the Chairman. 
 (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the meeting of the Board and of the Executive 
Committee shall be held at such time and at such place and in such manner as may be prescribed by 
regulations: 
 
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 Provided  that  until  regulations  a re  made  in  this  behalf,  such  meeting  shall  be 
convened by the Chairman. 
 (3) Unless otherwise prescribed one -third of the total members in case of the B oard and one-
half of the total members in case of the Executive Committee shall form a quorum at  the meeting of 
the Board or, as the case may be, the Executive Committee. 
 (4) The Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence of the Chairman.  
 9. Executive Committee .__ The Board shall be assisted by an Executive Committee, 
consisting of not less than three members, to be constituted from amongst members of the Bo ard and 
perform such functions, as may be prescribed by the regulations. 
  10. Executive Director .―(1) The Executive Director shall be the overall incharge of 
technical and administrative work of the Institute and shall be appointed by the Federal Government 
on such terms and conditions as it may determine. 
(2) The Executive Director shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as m ay be 
prescribed.   
 11. Delegation of Powers.―The Board may, from time to time delegate to the Chairman, the 
Executive Committee and Executive Director such of its powers and functions and subject to such 
conditions as it may consider necessary. 
 12. Validity of Proceedings .__ No act, proceedings, decision or order of the Institute,  Board 
or Executive Committee shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy in, or any 
defects in the constitution of, the Institute, Board or Executive Committee. 
 13. Appointment of Officers  etc.―The Institute may, from time to time, appoint such 
Officers, servants,  experts  and  consultants  as  it  may  consider  necessary  for  the efficient  
performance  of  its  functions  on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  may  be prescribed, by rules. 
 14. Members, officers etc ., to be public servants. ―Every member of the Board and every 
officer, servant, expert, consultant and employee of the Institute shall, when acting or purporting, to 
act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules, or regulations made 
thereunder shall be deemed to be public servant within the meaning  of section 21 of the Pakistan 
Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860). 
 15. Funds.―There  shall be established a fund to be called the National Institute of  Folk and 
Traditional Heritage (Lok Versa) Fund which shall consist of― 
(a) grant-in-aid from the Federal Government, the Provincial Governments, local bodies 
and statutory or non-statutory corporations; 
(b) collections, subscriptions, and donations from any person, body , association or 
organization; 
(c) receipts from other sources  as may  be  approved  by  the  Federal  Gove rnment 
including sale proceeds from the Institute’s products,  publications,  and holding of 
exhibitions, programmes,  f estivals and projects as a sell -generated  fund, which the 
Institute  may,  with the approval  of the Board,  retain and spend therefrom and the 
balance, if any, shall be deposited in the self -generated fund account maintained by 
the Institute separately for this purpose in the scheduled banks; 
(d) generation of funds through mul ti-media productions, cultural telecasts, broadcasts, 
etc; and 
 
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(e) such funds as it may generate through private-public partnerships. 
 
 16. Budget .―The Institute shall, in respect of each financial year, by such date as may be 
determined by the Federal Government, submit to it for approval a statement , to be called the annual 
budget statement, in the prescribed manner, showing the estimated receipts and expenditure and the 
sums likely to be required during th e next financial year along with detail programme of works for 
that year. 
 17. Maintenance of accounts and audit .― The Institute shall maintain complete and 
accurate  accounts  and other relevant  records in such manner  and form as may be prescribed   by   
the   Federal   Government   in   consultation   with   Auditor -General of Pakistan which shall be 
audited by the Auditor-General of Pakistan. 
 18. Annual Report .―The Institute shall, as soon as possible, after the end of each financial 
year, but not later than the last day of December, submit to the Federal Government a detailed report, 
called the Annual Report, on the conduct of its affairs and its achievements duri ng the preceding 
financial year along with financial statements where necessary. 
 19. Indemnity.―No suit, prosecution or order legal proceedings shall lie against the Board 
or any of its members, officers, servants, experts or consultants of the Institute in respect of anything 
in good faith done or intended to be done under this Ordinance,  the rules or the regulations, made 
thereunder. 
 20. Transfer of civil servants etc ., to the Institute .―(1) Notwithstanding anything 
contained in any law, contract or agreement or in the condition of service, every civil servant 
employed in the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, existing immediately before the 
commencement of this Ordinance, including persons on deputation to other organizations shall, save 
as hereinafter provided, cease to be civil servants and stand transferre d, to and become an employee 
of the Institute as established in this Ordinance on the same terms and conditions, including 
remuneration, tenure of service, rules and privileges as to pension and gratuity and other matters as 
were applicable to him immediat ely before the commencement of this Ordinance , until his re -
employment in the Institute is terminated in accordance with the conditions of service or his terms 
and conditions are altered by regulation which shall not be  less favourable than those by which he 
was governed immediately before his transfer to the Institute. 
 (2) Any person referred to in sub -section (1) who is on deputation with the Institute shall 
continue in his employment of the Institute on deputation in accordance with the terms of his 
deputation. 
 (3) Any person referred to in sub -section (1) may, within three months from the 
commencement of this Ordinance, opt not to be tra nsferred to the service of the Institute and option 
so exercised shall be final. 
 23. Winding up .― No provision of law relating to the winding up of the bodies corporate 
shall apply to the Institute and the Institute shall not be wound up except by the order of the Federal 
Government in such manner as the Federal Government may direct. ‘ 
 24. Removal of  difficulties..—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provisions of 
this Ordinance, t he Federal Government may make such order, not inconsistent  with the express 
provisions of this Ordinance, as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of 
removing the difficulty. 
 25. Repeal and savings .—(1) The Government of Pakistan ’s Resolution No. F.10 -11/82-
Admn; dated the 19th June, 1983, is hereby repealed.  
 
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(2) Upon the commencement of this Ordinance― 
(a) all funds, properties, rights and interests of whatsoever kind issued, use d, enjoyed and 
possessed by the  National Institute of Folk and Tradi tional Heritage ( Lok Virsa ) in 
existence immediately before the commencement of this Ordinance and  all liabilities  
legally subsisting  against  the  said  Institute  shall  pass to the Institute  as established 
under this Ordinance; 
(b) everything done, action taken, obligation or liabilities incurred, rights and assets 
acquired, persons appointed, or authorized, powers  conferred, endowments, bequest 
or funds created, donations  or grants made, order issued under a resolution ,  rules or 
regulations applicable to the said Institute shall remain in force and be continued and , 
having regard to various matters which by this Ordinance  have to be regulated  or 
prescribed by rules or regulations, be deemed to have been respectively done, taken, 
incurred, acquired, appointe d, authorized, empowered, created, made or issued under 
this Ordinance, and reference in any document to any of the provisions of the said 
Resolution,  or  the  rules  or  regulations  made thereunder,  shall,  so  far  as  may  
be, deemed to be reference to the corresponding provisions of this Ordinance, or the 
rules or the regulations made or deemed to have been made thereunder; and 
(c) any rules or regulations made under the said R esolution shall, in so far as they are not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules or the regulations made 
thereunder having regard to various matters which by this Ordinance have to be 
regulated or prescribed by rules or regulations respectively shall continue in force, 
until they are repealed, replaced, rescinded or modified in accordance with the 
provisions of this Ordinance. 
____________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RGN Date: 14-01-2026