Pakistan authorities are readying a film industry revival plan, according to domestic news platform, Geo News, which described the local industry as “struggling”. 
The plan, overseen by the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “soon”. 

According to the Lahore-based entertainment info platform, Entertainment Pakistan (EPK), the country’s cinema screens have been badly hit by limits on Indian film distribution in Pakistan. During the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Azha this year, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting imposed a temporary ban on Indian films, saying they wanted to promote local cinema.   

EPK said earlier this year that the number of screens has dropped to 114 from 160. 22 of the closures are in Lahore.  EPK’s apocalyptic prediction is that if Indian films are not allowed this year, cinema will cease to exist in Pakistan. 

“No film will ever be made in our country after 2026 BECAUSE THERE WILL BE NO CINEMA HALLS TO SCREEN,” the platform said in an all-caps Facebook post.

The government’s plan is expected to be based on Pakistan’s 2018 Film Policy, and could include post-Covid amendments such as, for example, a revamped tax system. 

No official mention has been made on the politicised issue of lifting restrictions on Indian films.