Life & Style

National Film Academy project falls prey to CDA-ministry bickering

Approval for PC-1 was given by Ministry of National Heritage but CDA did not allot land for the project

Zulfiqar Baig January 03, 2019

For the first time in its history, the Pakistani film industry is likely to get the official status of an industry.

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has not been able to establish National Film Academy in Islamabad even after a lapse of eight years.

The previous PML-N government in 2013 had prepared a comprehensive strategy for the development of a film academy in Islamabad in line with the international standards.

PC-1 for the project had been sent to Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), according to which the film academy was to be built on a 60 acres of land adjacent to an open theatre at Shakar Parian's Garden Avenue.

The approval for PC-1 was given by the Ministry of National Heritage but the CDA did not allot the land for the project due to which the plan did not follow through.

Showbiz people welcome national film, culture policy

After the merger of national heritage and information ministries, the PC-1 of the project was again sent to the Planning and Development Division. PNCA, which works under the ministry, informed the ministry about the resumption of work for the project.

The decision to restart the project of National Film Academy was taken but it didn't proceed further, yet again. The CDA has asked the PNCA administration to set up a special team for marking of the desired land.

Pakistan yet to have a national film academy

On the other side, Pakistan National Council of Arts Director General Jamal Shah maintains that the budget for the project has been allocated. "The project will be completed through the support from the Chinese government," he said, adding that the film academy will prove to have historical importance for the country.

The academy will have modern studios and a hostel to accommodate artists and technical staff. The project will also include representation from all Pakistani universities to facilitate students wishing to work in the film industry.

According to film star Qavi Khan, there has been a lot of noise pertaining to the development of academies and other projects but practically nothing has happened.

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