Exhibitors in Pakistan set to lift ban on Indian films today

Exhibitors in Pakistan will be lifting the self-imposed ban on the screening of Indian films on Tuesday, the owner of a leading cinema said.

Terming it merely a 'suspension' and not a ban, as there was no government intervention, exhibitors on their own had decided to stop the screening of Indian films, following the ban on Pakistani artists and technicians working in India by the Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association (IMPPA) earlier in October, reports the Express Tribune.

This decision comes in wake of the Indian Army's criticism of the MNS' penalty of 50 million rupees on Indian films featuring Pakistani actors

Following the losses, exhibitors had gathered thrice since the suspension of Indian films to ponder over the possible consequences.

In the latest meeting, which took place on Sunday, followed by a brief discussion on Monday, all exhibitors had agreed to resume screening effective from Tuesday.

According to another cinema owner, "The Indian Army's statement is a good enough evidence for the change in perspective on the other side of the border. So is the release of Fawad Khan's film in India."

A formal announcement will be made by the chairman of Pakistan's exhibitors association, Zuraiz Lashari, in Lahore on Tuesday.

The owner of a leading distribution company said that the resumption of Indian films had to happen since cinema owners relied heavily on Bollywood movies for their revenue.

In a related development, the ministry of commerce has issued NoCs to both Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Ajay Devgn's Shivay. Shivay is set to be previewed by the censor board.

The secretary of Sindh Board of Film Censors, Razzaq Khuhwar, said "The government has issued the NoC for Shivay. We are set to screen on Tuesday or Wednesday for certification."

The chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification, Mobashir Hasan, said that they will accept and preview Indian films, if and when they are submitted for certification.