Foreign_movies_allowed_in_Pak_cinemas

PCBFC says under new rules a film produced by any country except India despite having Indian cast can be exhibited in Pakistan | Adds step has been taken to revive cinema industry

According to our showbiz news reporter.

LAHORE: Pakistan Central Board of Film Censors (PCBFC) on Tuesday told the Lahore High Court that to facilitate the film importers and revive the cinema industry it has changed rules through which a film produced by the countries other than India despite having Indian cast could be exhibited in Pakistan. PCBFC secretary disclosed this in a written reply on behalf of the PCBFC, secretary culture and culture ministry in two writ petitions, challenging permission for the exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan. Justice Tariq Shamim of the LHC had directed the PCBFC for its reply in both the petitions of identical nature. The secretary submitted that certain films with Indian artistes/crew imported from the countries other than India were being allowed for exhibition in the country in accordance with the provision of the law. He said earlier under Rule 10 (2) (b) (iii) of the Censorship of Film Rules 1980 any foreign film irrespective of its country of import, containing Indian/Pakistani artistes, was not allowed for exhibition. In order to revive the cinema industry which was declining day by day, the federal government made an amendment to the Rule 10 under which the films produced by other countries containing Indian or Pakistani Artistes could also be brought into the country, he said. The reply was submitted in a petition filed by film distributor Mahfooz Chaudhry and another, challenging exhibition of films "Awarapan", "Killer" and "Dostana" in the country. The petitioner submitted that movies which were exhibited in Pakistan were included Goal, Race, Rahguzar, Taray Zameen Par, Bhagam Bhag, Welcome, Bhootnath, Jannat, Kismat Connection, Honey and Money, Love Story-2050, Kidnap and Drona. He said these movies were produced and directed by Indians and were pictured in India. He said in violation of the rules, the sensor board and cultural ministry allowed their exhibition in Pakistan which was a discriminatory act. He prayed that exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan be declared unlawful, illegal and against the Film Rules 1980; and till the decision of this petition, no Indian movie be allowed to be exhibited, the petitioner also prayed.