Smuggled Indian films violating laws must not be screened in Pakistan, rules LHC
Court hears petition against exhibition of smuggled Indian films.
The court directed the Chairman Pakistan Film Censor Board to ensure that the department does not issue licences to Indian films bearing fake legal documents. DESIGN: AMNA IQBAL/FILE
LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday ordered that no foreign film brought into the country in violation of prescribed laws, was allowed to be exhibited.
The court directed the Chairman Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) to ensure that the department does not issue licences to Indian films bearing fake documents.
The order was passed on a petition moved by the anchor of a private channel, who claimed that Indian films were being smuggled into Pakistan, and by using fake documentation were obtaining Pakistan Censor Board licences.
The counsel contested that under the law, Indian films which were shot completely in India could not be promoted in Pakistan. Films which have been shot at foreign locations in toto can be screened.
But recently, the petitioner claimed, promoters have smuggled a number of films shot completely in India and were showing them in Pakistani cinemas under the category of 'Foreign Films' with fake documents and screened under fake licences.
The petitioner further asserted that Indian films were promoting terrorism and lawlessness in Pakistan. He urged the court to direct the Ministry of Interior Affairs to initiate measures under the Terrorist Act against all those involved in smuggling Indian films into the country and playing these films in Pakistani cinemas.
The petitioner requested the court to direct Custom authorities to stop this illegal practice and initiate action under the Custom Act against the smuggled films.
The court will next hear the case on November 25, when it has directed the Secretary Interior, CBFC and Federal Board of Revenue to file their replies.
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday ordered that no foreign film brought into the country in violation of prescribed laws, was allowed to be exhibited.
The court directed the Chairman Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) to ensure that the department does not issue licences to Indian films bearing fake documents.
The order was passed on a petition moved by the anchor of a private channel, who claimed that Indian films were being smuggled into Pakistan, and by using fake documentation were obtaining Pakistan Censor Board licences.
The counsel contested that under the law, Indian films which were shot completely in India could not be promoted in Pakistan. Films which have been shot at foreign locations in toto can be screened.
But recently, the petitioner claimed, promoters have smuggled a number of films shot completely in India and were showing them in Pakistani cinemas under the category of 'Foreign Films' with fake documents and screened under fake licences.
The petitioner further asserted that Indian films were promoting terrorism and lawlessness in Pakistan. He urged the court to direct the Ministry of Interior Affairs to initiate measures under the Terrorist Act against all those involved in smuggling Indian films into the country and playing these films in Pakistani cinemas.
The petitioner requested the court to direct Custom authorities to stop this illegal practice and initiate action under the Custom Act against the smuggled films.
The court will next hear the case on November 25, when it has directed the Secretary Interior, CBFC and Federal Board of Revenue to file their replies.