Pakistani cinema owners all set to lift self-imposed ban on Indian films

Chairman Film Exhibitors Association Zoraiz Lashari says cinemas would begin screening Indian films from December 19

Pakistani cinema owners are all set to to lift the self-imposed ban on Indian films.

Speaking exclusively to The Express Tribune on Saturday, Chairman Film Exhibitors Association Zoraiz Lashari confirmed that cinema owners would begin screening Indian films across Pakistan from December 19 (Monday).

"Cinema business has been hit immensely and all stakeholders felt it was the right time to begin screening Indian films. It was always a self imposed suspension, not a ban. So I'll be releasing Freaky Ali in our cinemas and other cinema owners will follow suit," said Lashari.

Meanwhile, an owner of a film distributing company, requesting anonymity, said the move was to pave way for a big release by a private media group in the country.

“A big media group and film exhibitors/distributors in India are trying to release Dungal in Pakistan. They are testing public sentiments and also the government’s reaction by releasing Freaky Ali at CineStar cinema," he added.

He went on to add how stakeholders in India were also being hit by the move to by the self-imposed ban. “We will first test waters with these unreleased films and then begin negotiations with Indian distributors to continue the import of movies into Pakistan,” he added.

CineStar has already updated its cinema schedule to include Pink and Freaky Ali but a screening has yet to be held.