Minister hails Cabinet approval of Pakistan’s first-ever film, culture policy

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Marriyum Aurangzeb has said the approval of first ever film and culture policy by cabinet in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was a historic step.

Addressing a press conference, she said the government had laid solid foundation for revival of the film industry and preservation and promotion of national culture.

Former premier Nawaz Sharif constituted a committee comprising Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Attaul Haq Qasmi, Jamal Shah, Fauzia Saeed and other experts on culture from across the country and consultations were held with more than 100 experts to finalize the policy, she informed.

She said the new generation was alienated from the country’s culture, civilization and traditions because of the spread of new technologies and due to the rise in tendencies of extremism. “If the difference of opinion is due to some logic and reason, it is not an issue but when the differences reach the level of animosity then it is harmful. Those nations which are not tolerant cannot prosper,” she said. She further said cultural aspect was missing in the old curriculum but this time cultural issues were to be made part of curriculum.

She said films had been given the status of an industry and the film makers could now get facility of financing, adding film academy and studios would be set up, import duty on film equipment would be reduced to three percent, film finance fund was established besides preparation of an archive and database for films and dramas and the suggestion to formulate box office rating mechanism was also part of the policy.

The foreign film makers would get access to breathtaking and scenic locations of Pakistan and would get rebate for their film production in Pakistan, she explained. Pakistani films and dramas would also be exhibited in China, screening of Indian films on Eid days would be stopped and festivals would be held to boost local culture and films.