CM eyes cutting-edge cine industry

Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has announced that a modern production studio and a cinema complex will be built in Lahore for the revival of film industry. He was speaking to film director, producer and writer Syed Noor who called on him on Sunday.

Matters pertaining to steps being taken for the revival of the film industry were comprehensively discussed during the meeting. The chief minister said urgent steps would be taken for the revival of the film industry in collaboration with the Iranian institution Farabi and Turkey.

He expressed his resolve to revive the film industry with the help of Iranian and Turkish filmmakers. He said the film industry had been revived in Iran and Turkey by establishing separate institutions for the purpose.

A similar institution will be set up in Lahore as well. Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi highlighted that young filmmakers would be trained in emerging trends of production. He vowed to introduce latest courses of film technician in the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority’s (TEVTA) institutions.

He remarked that Lahore used to be the centre of art, culture and film but the former PML-N governments had weakened the sector like other institutions. He vowed that the Punjab government would make Lahore the hub of art, culture and film once again. He said steps would be taken on a priority basis for the revival of the Pakistani film industry.

The chief minister said an Artiste Endowment Fund of Rs1 billion had been set up for their welfare. Financial assistance for the deserving artistes has been enhanced from Rs5,000 to Rs25,000.

He vowed to take all possible steps to provide quality entertainment to the people, adding that employment opportunities would be generated with increase in film production. He highlighted that Punjab was a fertile land with regard to art and culture. Syed Noor lauded the steps of CM Pervaiz Elahi for the revival of the local film industry.

Provincial Information Secretary Asif Bilal Lodhi and other officials were also present. Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi also presided over a meeting in which the provincial chief secretary briefed him about salient features of the Sports Endowment Fund. He said the Punjab government had decided to set up the fund worth Rs2 billion to promote the sports.

Players will be sent abroad for training and international coaches will be invited to Pakistan to train local players. Sports scholarships will also be given to players from the endowment fund. The chief minister said players from other provinces would also be sent abroad for coaching in athletics, wrestling, boxing, hockey, football, volleyball, badminton, basketball, tentpegging and other sports. He said sports arenas would be provided for players in the province and the fund would be spent for their welfare.

He maintained that local players had immense talent but their training by international coaches was essential to polish their abilities. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi refused to accept the resignation of provincial Minister Hasnain Bahadar Dreshak and commended his performance as a cabinet member.