News Desk |
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz ended its term with a historic step towards the formulation of Pakistan’s first ever film and culture policy.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcast Maryam Aurangzeb formally announced Pakistan’s film and culture policy. On Tuesday, Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi gave his nod to the film and cultural policy in the final meeting with Federal cabinet ministers.
The first conductive film and cultural policy are expected to gear Pakistan’s entertainment industry towards retrieving its lost glory and reputation.
Maryam Aurangzeb in a press conference hailed the government’s decision and remarked that a solid foundation has been laid for the revival and expansion of cultural and film sector of Pakistan.
She stated that the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif constituted a committee to finalize the policy that comprised of Senator Pervez Rashid and other notable figures from entertainment industry like Atta ul Haq Qasmi, Jamal Shah, Fauzia Saeed. The consultations and discussions with 100 experts brought to table a profound multi-directional film and cultural policy.
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The policy has favourable implications for the filmmakers who can now access the various financial sources and loans after the entertainment sector is upgraded to industry level.
The government will set up film studios and academies. The import duty on the import of film equipment is reduced by three percent. The policy has also recommended for the establishment of box office rating system and preparation of an archive and database for films and dramas.
Following the steps of UAE, Pakistan too has announced to offer a rebate on the production costs to the foreign filmmakers. They will be given access to the scenic and exquisite locations in Pakistan.
On Tuesday, Prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi gave his nod to the film and cultural policy in the final meeting with Federal cabinet ministers.
Pakistani dramas and film will be exhibited in China. It seems that government has come to realize the lucrativeness of vast market in China.
Despite India’s uncertain relations, the Bollywood industry is profiting exponentially from the screening of their movies in China. Previously movies like, Tiger Zinda Hai, Secret Superstar, Hindi Medium, Bajrangi Bhaijan, and Dangal have reported breaking the box-office records in China. The Hindi movies are giving tough competition to China’s local film industry.
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Pakistani entertainment industry can massively grow if it capitalizes on the promotion of its films and movies in foreign markets.
Ban on Indian movies
The government has decided to ban the screening of Indian movies in the following two weeks of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha with the intention to cut the competition that obstructs the promotion of Pakistani movies. Four Pakistani movies are competing in Eid race: ‘7 Din Muhabbat In’, Wajood, ‘Na Band Na Baraati’ and Azaadi.
Three Indian movies including ‘Race 3′ ‘Fanney Khan’ and Sanju featuring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Ranbir Kapoor respectively, will clash for release in Pakistan after Eid.
Lately, in the past six months, nearly six Indian movies were banned from screening in Pakistan. Indian movies like Veere Di Wedding, Raazi, Tiger Zinda Hai, Pari, ‘Pad Man’ are all banned from screening in Pakistan. Surprisingly, all the films were highly-anticipated, big-budget and A-list movies.
In 2017, movies including Raees, Dangal, and Jolly LLB were barred from screening in Pakistan. The Censor board has stated the content of the banned movies is against the Islamic, cultural values and national sentiments of Pakistan.
The first conductive film and cultural policy are expected to gear Pakistan’s entertainment industry towards retrieving its lost glory and reputation.