Pakistan to unban Bollywood?
Indian films have been banned in Pakistan since 1965 but, in recent years, the Pakistani authorities have started to make exceptions. In 2006, for example, all of three Indian films were allowed to be shown.
Now, the country’s parliamentary committee on culture has recommended that the ban on Indian films should be lifted completely. The details are unclear, but reports suggest that the import of a dozen Indian films will be allowed against the export of an equal number of Pakistani films to India.
The government still needs to approve the proposal, but according to Senator Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, who headed the committee: “We have devised a mechanism for allowing the import of Indian films for a period of one year, after which the arrangements can be reviewed.”
It’s also unclear as to whether the Indian government will agree to such a scheme.
Even with the ban in place, Indian films are hugely popular in Pakistan and illicit copies are easy to find. Cinema owners in Pakistan are keen to screen Bollywood films, but local filmmakers fear an influx would harm their industry.
Tuesday 29 Jan 2008 | Paul | Pakistan
