Panel to take up Indian movies’ clearance on Monday

Information minister says Pakistani cinema will benefit from display of Indian films

ISLAMABAD: A special committee formed by the prime minister for the clearance of Indian movies to be screened in Pakistan will initiate the process of issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) from Monday, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, who is heading the panel, told The Express Tribune on Saturday.



She said that allowing foreign content to be screened will be planned according to the commerce ministry’s new import order. “Importing the foreign content will be planned and the content will be shared with the censor board and passed through other procedure,” she said.

She clarified that without the consent and endorsement of her ministry, the NOC cannot be issued. The minister added that the entire process will take some time.

Shaan urges PM Nawaz to ensure release of Pakistani films in India

Meanwhile, in an official statement, Marriyum said the government has decided to maintain the present policy regarding the import of Indian films after reviewing the benefits Pakistani cinema trade can derive from their exhibition.

“The close examination of historical and empirical data including the trends of the industry since 1965 till date, it is evident that, the inclusion of all foreign content, including Indian film content in local cinemas, has a multiplier impact on the commerce and development of the Pakistani film trade and industry as a whole,” the minister emphasised. She said that the investment plans of the local film industry, especially of the cinema owners and film exhibitors for producing local films, were also reviewed. (WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP)

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2017.