As understanding in trade ties between Pakistan and India has improved with talks between commerce secretaries of the two countries and a recent visit of Pakistani commerce minister to India, Islamabad has asked New Delhi to lift a ban on Pakistani films and satellite television channels to streamline trade in the entertainment sector. Tariq Puri, chief executive of the Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), told Profit that the request was made during the recent visit of Pakistani delegation, which was led by Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim and included Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood, himself and other officials. Puri said Pakistan had permitted the Indian film industry to sell its films in Pakistan and that New Delhi should reciprocate Islamabad’s gesture by removing the ban on Pakistani media productions in India.
He stressed the importance of trade in the entertainment sector in enhancing overall bilateral trade. As Indian television soaps and Bollywood films are popular in Pakistan, Pakistani films and dramas are also admired in the neighbouring country. Puri said the Pakistani delegation had urged the Indian officials to arrange investments and joint ventures for entertainment-related organisations from the two countries. He said the Indian officials agreed to discuss the issue of lifting the ban with relevant authorities in New Delhi.
Puri said the TDAP had announced to organise the first-ever exhibition of ‘Lifestyle Pakistan’ in New Delhi in January 2012 at the request of the Indian Trade Proportion Organisation (ITPO). He said the event would feature musical evenings, displays of art, food and Pakistani products to explore market in India. He said the TDAP and the commerce ministry had also offered the ITPO to hold similar events at the expo centres in Lahore and Karachi. Puri said the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ITPO and TDAP had resulted in the improvement in trade and the exchange of such events. He added that trade ties with India would further improve in future with the establishment of a direct link between the ITPO and TDAP, state-run trade organisations of India and Pakistan respectively.
