Marriyum stresses revival of film industry

Minister says extensive research with experts are conducted to develop comprehensive policy

ISLAMABAD:

The Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday said that the revival and expansion of Pakistan’s film industry were vital to project the national narrative through screen tourism.

“Screen tourism presents an opportunity to spread the narrative of Pakistan, as seen in the successful examples of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iran, where budding film industries have thrived”, she said while addressing 25 high achievers of the National Amateur Film Festival Award bound to leave for Australia on Monday.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has sponsored these 25 students one-year training in New York Academy, Australia.

The government was to promote Pakistan’s narrative, focusing on heritage, youth engagement, and tourism through screen tourism, she maintained.

The minister observed it was high time to invest in Pakistan’s entertainment industry, which currently enjoyed tax exemptions.

“Over the next decade, I foresee a revival of the industry that will allow it to compete with neighbouring countries and even international markets,” she said adding that the high achievers had the potential to make a significant impact in this field.

The minister recalled that Pakistan’s film industry faced a significant setback between 1970 and 2000, causing its growth to stagnate. However, since 2000, the industry has experienced a boost, although its progress has been hindered by the absence of cinemas and affordability issues, which limited access for the general public, she maintained. The minister stated the government introduced a film policy in 2017 to address these challenges.

She revealed that extensive research and consultations with relevant stakeholders and experts were conducted to develop this comprehensive policy. Lessons were learned from countries with flourishing film industries or successful revivals, providing valuable insights, she added.

Marriyum Aurangzeb maintained that incentives for the film industry were included in the 2018 budget, and after coming into power again last year, the coalition government established a dedicated film division in the ministry.

The film sector currently enjoyed zero taxation, with income tax exemptions for individuals and production houses. Import of equipment for film and drama production had also been tax exempted, she noted.

The minister disclosed that the corporate entities providing funds for film production can claim CSR tax credits from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), making it a significant incentive.