Artistes welcome govt’s film finance fund initiative

Cinema houses have been made tax-free for 10 years

LAHORE:

A film finance fund of Rs2 billion has been allocated in the federal budget for 2023-24.

Federal Minister Maryam Aurangzeb announced that the government of Pakistan is establishing a film finance fund to provide funds for film, documentary and drama production, while also making cinema houses tax-free for 10 years.

This move demonstrates the government's commitment to resolving issues in the film industry. Minister Maryam Aurangzeb emphasised that the allocated money will be given as a grant, not a loan, and a 10-member film council will decide the aid amount for film production, with a focus on ensuring transparency in the process.

In this regard, film, stage, and TV artists met with Federal Minister of Information Maryam Aurangzeb at the house of renowned film director and writer Syed Noor in Lahore. During the meeting, the artists requested the inclusion of the film finance fund and health insurance in the budget for the next financial year.

The artistes expressed their gratitude to the Federal Minister of Information for allocating a substantial amount of money. Film director Jarrar Rizvi, Hasan Askari, Chairman of Pakistan Film Producers Association Zulfiqar Ali Mana, Chairman of Pakistan Film Distributors Association Chaudhry Ijaz Kamran, and actress Saima were present at the ceremony and praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Federal Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb to revive the film industry.

The Cultural Journalists Foundation of Pakistan organized a ceremony in memory of the senior actor of the Pakistan Film Industry, Raj Multani. Prominent artists, including Anwar Khan, Nasir Adeeb, Director Pilac Dr Asim Chaudhry, Kamran Chaudhry, Durdana Rahman, Nishu Begum, and Naghama Begum, participated in the event. The ceremony also showcased a documentary highlighting Raj Multani's films, which received positive feedback from the attendees.

Singers Mahim Rehman, Nirmal Shah, Ahmed, Haider Badshah performed at the event, and Arzo and Falak performed beautiful film songs.

A seven-member delegation from Lahore Arts Council Al-Hamra visited Chand Bagh College Muridke and took part in the college's cultural show. The performance of Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts teacher Moin Khan on the flute won the hearts of the audience. Renowned teacher Abdul Rauf from Al-Hamra Academy of Performing Arts also mesmerised the audience with his lively performance.

The wonderful performance of Pride of Performance Qawal Ustad Sher Miandad Khan in Canada has gained considerable attention. Sher Miandad recently visited Canada upon the invitation of the Pakistani community, where he performed in two cities, including Toronto.

According to Sher Miandad, he plans to visit Canada again in July and August to perform in different cities.

With summer vacations underway in educational institutions, Lahore Arts Council Al-Hamra has announced the establishment of summer camps for children focusing on theatre, singing, Kathak dance, and drawing. The theatre, singing, and Kathak dance camp will be held from July 10 to August 10 at Al Hamra Mall, according to Executive Director Lahore Arts Council Al Hamra, Muhammad Salim Sagar.

A 23-member delegation of Foreign Service Officers from the 43rd Specialised Diplomatic Course visited Lahore Arts Council Al-Hamra.

The delegation, led by Director Program Foreign Service Academy Fauzia Fayyaz Ahmed, toured the ongoing exhibition in the art gallery of Lahore Arts Council and visited various halls.

Assistant Director of Fine Art Mina Haroon briefed the delegation on the ongoing exhibition. All the officers in the delegation considered their visit to Al-Hamra as an important part of their training.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2023.