Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has assured to protect and promote the film industry in the country.
The PPP chief presided over an important meeting with the film fraternity at the Bilawal House on Wednesday which was attended by Syed Owais Muzafar, chief of staff to PPP chairman Hashaam Riaz Sheikh, Film Censor Board chairman Fakhr-e-Alam and MPA Hasnain Mirza.
The film fraternity was represented by actors, producers, exhibitors including Humayun Saeed, Javed Sheikh, Nadeem Mandviwalla, Rashid Khawaja, Amyn Tahir, Bilal Ashraf, Feeza Ali Mirza, Zeba Bakhtiar, Mazhar Zaidi and others, said a statement issued by the Bilawal House.
A detailed presentation was made on behalf of the film fraternity by Azaan Sami Khan highlighting the concerns and requirements of the film industry.
The industry representatives appreciated and thanked the PPP chairman for the decision taken during the last PPP federal government for allowing Bollywood films in Pakistan and giving industry the confidence.
They said the current boom in Pakistani film industry came due to positive policy changes by the PPP. Films Censor Board Chairman Fakhr-e-Alam presented the new draft of the New Motion Picture Act 2014 to the PPP chairman in the presence of film fraternity.
The draft New Motion Picture Act covers all concerned issues of the film industry and has a detailed road map of the future to encompass new cineplexes, studios and other facilities to be built in public private partnerships. The draft New Motion Picture Act was developed after detailed discussions with all stake holders of the film fraternity.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari shared his love for films, arts and culture and reaffirmed his belief in Pakistani talent.
The chairman took note of the potential job creation through film production which currently averages at 400 skilled workers per film and took note of capital flight of business overseas due to lack of facilities.
He said the party would continue to support the film industry through all means possible including the Sindh Festival and the Sindh International Film Festival, building of new facilities and policy reforms.
