No NOCs for Indian films-Pakistan making new regulations

Pakistani authorities have stopped issuing “No-Objection Certificates” for the screening of Indian films, holding up the release of new movies like “Gunday” and “Hasee Toh Phasee”.

The Federal Information and Broadcasting Ministry has told distributors and exhibitors of Indian films that it is processing new laws and regulations and NOCs will not be issued till these are approved by the federal cabinet.

Nawab Siddiqui, one of Pakistan’s leading distributors and exhibitors who runs the Atrium Cineplex in Karachi, said authorities stopped the screening of Indian movies last month.

Siddiqui said the cinema and catering industries stood to lose millions of rupees they had invested in cineplexes and malls after the government’s decision in 2006 to allow the screening of Indian films.

After the 1965 war with India, Pakistan barred the screening of Indian films for nearly four decades and this gave rise to rampant piracy.

According to Pakistani Media is that pirated copies of ‘Gunday’ are being aired on cable across Karachi but it can’t be shown legally in cinemas,” said the manager of Capri cinema.

Siddiqui, who works with the oldest distribution company Mandviwallas, said the screening of Indian films had fuelled the revival of the cinema industry in Pakistan.

Courtesy:BS

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/international-news/item/4292-no-nocs-for-indian-films-pakistan-making-new-regulations.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/international-news/item/4292-no-nocs-for-indian-films-pakistan-making-new-regulations.html