LAHORE:
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has established an eight-member committee that will assist the government to finance producers for the production of quality films.
The CM also approved proposals for the construction of Punjab’s first film city, a studio and a post-production lab.
To revive the industry in the province, she also gave permission to build a public sector film school to produce graduates in the field.
The move comes amidst efforts to revive cultural activities in the province as the government organised the traditional celebration of Mela Chiraghan (light festival) earlier this month after a gap of many years ago. A Punjabi culture festival was also organised at Alhamra Arts Council. The government has also introduced policies and restrictions regarding stage performances.
According to a spokesperson for the information and culture department, the decision to revive the local film industry has been taken because it had been suffering due to various issues for the past many years.
The committee that includes senior government officers will prepare a policy to provide financial assistance to local producers. Provincial Senior Minster Mariyyum Aurangzeb is the convener of the committee that has also been given the task of building the film city, a state of the art studio and post-production lab with modern equipment.
The spokesperson said land had been specified for the construction of the film city in the Nawaz Sharif Information Technology City. Work is under way to finalise the design of the film city and other related details.
The committee was formed after the approval of the Punjab cabinet and funds are set to be allocation in the coming annual budget to promote the film industry, then spokesman added.
A former chairman of Pakistan Film Distributors Association, Ejaz Kamran, said while commenting on the decision that producers were not working on film projects in Punjab mainly because of lack of support from the governments.
He said the film associations also were unable to play any role in the prevailing situation.
