The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) was established in 1974 with the mandate for research, collection, documentation, communication, preservation and promotion of tangible and in-tangible heritage of the country. Lok Virsa obtained the status of an autonomous organization through Ordinance promulgated by the Government of Pakistan on September 17, 2002. Lok Virsa is governed by a Board of Governors headed by the Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage. Executive Director is the overall in charge of all technical and administrative work of the institute.