Humayun Saeed to Shaan: Stars hail upcoming Pakistani version of Netflix

Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, took to Twitter on Friday to reveal that a Pakistani version of Netflix is in the works.

A first of its kind, the OTT platform will be available to the audience soon. Chaudhry added the technical aspect of the platform has been completed and now, PEMRA has been asked to prepare guidelines for the content that will be screened on the medium.

“We at the Ministry of Science and Technology are all set to launch Pakistan’s first OTT television (Pakistani version of Netflix). The technology part is complete and we have asked PEMRA to prepare a guideline on content," Chaudhry wrote. "We will be all set to launch in PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode. The politician is hopeful the medium will be up and running in no time.

We at @MinistryofST are all set to launch Pakistan’s first OTT Tv (Pak version of #Netflix) Technology part is complete have asked PEMRA to prepare a guideline on content and we will be all set to launch in PPP mode, it ll be just another humble contribution..

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) October 23, 2020

The need for a local OTT platform has been emphasised upon by many Pakistani artists, especially after five Pakistani original series was picked up by an Indian streaming giant.

Soon after the announcement, many Pakistani celebs took the micro-blogging website and shared their two cents on the upcoming venture.

"This is such great news!" wrote Humayun Saeed. "Thank you, Fawad Chaudhry and Ministry of Science and Technology for this much-needed initiative. It will open doors of opportunities for many many talented people and eventually help Pakistan reach a truly global audience."

This is such a great news! Thank you @fawadchaudhry and @MinistryofST for this much needed initiative. It will open doors of opportunities for many many talented people and eventually help Pakistan reach a truly global audience. Insha Allah 🇵🇰 https://t.co/d8vKJmCmEW

— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) October 23, 2020

Mirroring Saeed's thoughts, fellow actor Shaan Shahid too, thanked the federal minister for the project. "It’s a brilliant effort by Fawad Chaudhry," the Waar star shared, adding, "It is time we make our presence in the entertainment arena of the world a new market for the content developers of Pakistan will give them the freedom to work."

It’s a brilliant effort by @fawadchaudhry it is time we make our presence in the entertainment arena of the world a new market for the content developers of Pakistan will give them freedom to work . Thankyou🇵🇰🎥♥️

— Shaan Shahid (@mshaanshahid) October 23, 2020

Hareem Farooqi, Ali Zafar and Ahmed Jahazeb lauded the efforts of launching an OTT platform in the country.

This can b huge for our entertainment industry @fawadchaudhry https://t.co/mDduCwqX7x

— AhmedJehanzeb (@ahmedjehanzb) October 23, 2020

Bravo @fawadchaudhry Lets make this happen IA 👏🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/K7eSBdbnHi

— Hareem Farooq (@FarooqHareem) October 23, 2020

Osman Khalid Butt, however, had few reservations.

"Can someone - literally anyone else prepare this content guideline," the Ehd e Wafa star wrote. "Let's not forget PEMRA issued a show-cause notice to Udaari over 'immoral content' because it was highlighting child abuse."

Can someone - literally anyone else prepare this content guideline.
Let's not forget PEMRA issued a show-cause notice to Udaari over 'immoral content' because it was highlighting child abuse. https://t.co/S6ZfuOJkUr

— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) October 23, 2020

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