As the weeks counting down to the end of Ramadan decrease, the ministry of information and broadcasting in Pakistan has decided to impose a temporary ban on the screening and exhibition on any and all foreign films, including Indian movies, two days prior, and two weeks after the celebrations of Eid ul-Fitr. These restrictions are also expected to be active again during the Eid ul-Adha holidays, which will take place in the third quarter of the year.
Officials from the ministry, and from the Pakistan Film Exhibitors’ Association, have confirmed that the usual practice of allowing all foreign movies to air in the theatres or Pakistan all through the holidays have been cancelled due to their intention of increasing the number of viewers of local films in cinemas during the holidays. The Pakistani film industry, which has always complained of being overshadowed by Indian movies in the country, will all now gain a chance to promote their film for four interruption-free days.
This entire decision had been propagated as a unanimous one, voted for by all the production houses and directorial positions of the country, and is expected to be seen as having an added tinge of nationalism during the days of the Eid. The number of footfalls in the Pakistani theatres during the four festive days of Eid had increased a lot due to famous Indian movies being released in the country during this time for the past few years. This year however, the decision of the ministry is not to use those days to promote any kind of foreign movies in the country.