Govt to provide facilities to the film

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that government will provide necessary facilities to the film industry which must strive to provide wholesome family entertainment and quality cinema to the country.

The Prime Minister said this while talking to a delegation of film industry that called on him at the Prime Minister’s House Tuesday. The delegation comprised Mian Amjad Farzand Ali, Mr. Jamshed Zafar, Syed Noor, Mr. Shan, Ch Saleem Sarwar Joura, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali, Mian Shafqat Ali, Mr. Anjum Nisar, Shaikh Mohammad Akram, Mr. Saud, Ms. Sangita and Mian Misbah-ur- Rehman.

The delegation presented to the Prime Minister a cheque of Rs. 30 lacs for the President’s Relief Fund for the earthquake affectees. The Prime Minister thanked the delegation for their generous donation and said their gesture is commendable.

The Prime Minister said that the only way to revive cinema in the country is through production of quality films for which there is a great demand. He assured the delegation that government will come down heavily on elements involved in piracy to help revive film industry in the country.

The Prime Minister said that the government will give all possible assistance to the film industry in setting a TV, film and music academy for providing training in all aspects in cinema making. The government will also favourably consider film industry’s demand for reduction of duty on film equipment and raw materials.

The Prime Minister also directed the Ministry of Culture to look into the demands of the film industry and put up its recommendations to him.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Culture, Dr. G.G. Jamal, Chairman Standing Committee on Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs, Senator Zafar Iqbal Chaudhry, Secretary Culture, Chairman Central Board of Film Censors and other senior officers.