Nation’s Largest Cultural Organization Struggles with Vacant Positions and Internal Disputes

The vibrant halls of the Punjab Council of the Arts, once teeming with creativity and cultural exchange, now stand as a symbol of a larger crisis. As the country’s largest cultural organization, it was envisioned to promote the arts, nurture talent, and uplift the cultural landscape. Yet today, it teeters on the edge of collapse, with its foundation shaken by political interference and a severe leadership vacuum.

Sources informed that in the heart of this storm stands the Secretary of Information and Culture, Punjab, whose failure to fill critical posts has sent shockwaves through the organization. Key positions, including directors of several Arts Councils across the province, have remained vacant for months, leaving the entire structure struggling to function effectively. From Sargodha to Faisalabad, Bahawalpur to Gujranwala, and even Murree, the lifeblood of the Punjab Council of the Arts is missing its key leaders.

Despite a pool of qualified candidates ready to step into these roles, political maneuvering and a preference for appointing officers from outside the relevant cadre have further complicated matters.

Instead of appointing the right individuals for the job, the administrative department has opted for temporary, additional charge postings. Allegedly, these decisions, driven by political motives, have created a human resources crisis within the Council and hampered its ability to carry out its responsibilities.

At the heart of the crisis are four unfilled director positions that have been vacant for an extended period. In addition, the Deputy Director’s post in Murree has been unoccupied for over two years, with no explanation provided for the delay. Even more concerning is the temporary appointment of BS-18 officers from the Information Department to take on director duties for the Faisalabad and Bahawalpur Arts Councils—temporary positions that have stretched on for three months.

Sources informed that these vacancies represent more than just a lack of leadership – they symbolize a much deeper issue within the Punjab Council of the Arts: the erosion of structure and order. Six more divisional deputy director posts remain unfilled, including a crucial position at the Head Office. Despite having qualified officers available to fill these positions, the Secretary of Information and Culture has failed to make permanent appointments, allowing the situation to spiral further out of control.

Internal disputes among the officers regarding their service rights have only added to the chaos. These disputes have left the Secretary of Information and Culture with an easy escape route from addressing the growing crisis, while the organization’s work continues to suffer. While complaints and recommendations have been sent from the Chief Secretary’s office, issues like irregular inductions, unauthorized transfers, and overage employee recruitments – contrary to established policies – remain unresolved.

Perhaps most troubling is the Secretary’s quick engagement in litigation against the Arts Councils, particularly regarding theater issues, rather than focusing on resolving internal matters or improving the Council’s governance. This political maneuvering has deepened the sense of disillusionment within the organization.

Founded in 1975, the Punjab Council of the Arts was intended to serve as a beacon for cultural growth. It is governed by a Board of Governors (BoG) and an Executive Committee, both of which are supposed to play a vital role in shaping the rules, regulations, and policies that guide the organization. Sources further informed that the Secretary’s office has remained silent on the non-functioning BoG, which expired on March 23, 2026. The absence of a lawful Executive Committee has rendered the Council rudderless, with no one willing to take responsibility for its future. Despite repeated attempts, the Secretary, Punjab Council of the Arts could not be reached for comments. The Reporters, is available to include a version of the Secretary, Punjab Council of the Arts  if he so desire.