Banning Indian films would also have adverse effects on the recent bilateral trade developments.
LAHORE: Indian films were banned from being screened in Pakistan following the 1965 war. Even though the official ban had existed since 1952 in West Pakistan and since 1962 in East Pakistan, it was put into force more strictly after the war. This ban was imposed due to political reasons.
Today, the debate regarding screening of Indian films in Pakistan centres around the principles of basic protectionist policies. The idea put forward is that through a protectionist policy, the competition posed to the Pakistani film industry could be controlled, which can give it a much-needed financial boost. There is no real economic justification in favour of such thinking as I don’t think it does much to safeguard and promote our film industry.
Once a prolific moviemaking country, Pakistan had 1,300 cinema halls in the 1970s with an average annual production of around 300 movies. However, by 2005, the country had only 270 cinema halls and made about 18 movies a year. This decline took place even though the ban on Indian films still existed, which was only lifted in 2008.
One of the very first victims of General Ziaul Haq’s Islamisation policies was our film industry. New registration laws for filmmakers were introduced, which made it difficult for many of them to function in the industry. Many cinemas in Lahore were forcibly shut down. New tax rates were introduced, further decreasing cinema attendances. These facts clearly indicate that banning Indian films did not play any part in promoting the Pakistani film industry. On the contrary, the ban didn’t do much to prevent Pakistanis from watching Indian films on pirated DVDs.
The few cinemas left in the country are prospering because they screen Indian films. If these films are banned, our cinema industry will surely go into decline. This would also result in unemployment, which is a serious issue facing Pakistan. Furthermore, it would reduce entertainment opportunities available to Pakistanis.
Banning Indian films would also have adverse effects on the recent bilateral trade developments that aim at deepening economic engagement between the two countries. Taking such a step might lead to strained relations between India and Pakistan and hamper further development projects. It would be beneficial for Pakistan not to pay heed to those advocating protectionist policies in this case and consider instead, the long-term growth and prosperity of the country.
Mohallil Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, July 26th, 2012.
