Government pledges to rescue film industr

Government pledges to rescue film industry

* Allocation of Rs 50 million likely in the next federal budget
* Rs 120 million offered for Digital Tracking System

By Anjum Gill

LAHORE The federal government has agreed to allocate Rs 50 million in the next budget to rescue the flailing film industry, sources told Daily Times on Sunday.

They also claimed the Punjab government would offered the industry Rs 120 million for the Digital Tracking System (DTS).

“This is the first time in several years that the authorities have taken such a positive step to help the film industry,” said a critic.

“It is largely a result of the efforts of high profile figures in the industry,” he added. “The development also indicates that the government is prepared to help educated people in the industry.”

A delegation from the industry recently visited Chairman Central Board of Revenue Abduallah Yousaf. The CBR chairman agreed to reduce the import duty on the equipment used by the industry from 10 to five percent.

Film Exhibitors’ Action Committee Chairman Zoraiz Lashari said the chairman CBR refused to waive the 15 percent sales tax, though he promised an income tax rebate on the films. He continued Federal Culture Minister Rasees Munir had agreed to allocate Rs 50 million in the next budget for the industry.

Punjab Information and Culture Secretary Taimur Azmat offered the filmmakers a Rs 120 million grant to buy the DTS, added Mr Lashari.

He said the Punjab government also offered a 2-kannal plot to house the system. “But the DTS would be operated as a government rental company.”

Producers previously visited Thailand and Hong Kong to look for the system, a routine that cost them around Rs 10 million. “If the same facility is available in town, it would reduce 60 percent of the total DTS cost,” said Mr Lashari.

He added the Punjab government could help the industry buy two cameras for its film studios. “Presently, the industry is using old cameras.”

A government source said these steps would be taken to help Pakistani film producers make quality films.

“The film action committee is now seeking an appointment with the prime minister to brief him about their problems. The federal information secretary has promised to arrange a prompt meeting with the prime minister,” added Mr Lashari.

The action committee has also filed an application with the Punjab chief minister to slash the entertainment tax on cinema houses.

“The Punjab information and culture secretary has sent a summary to the chief minister,” said Mr Lashari. “We now await a meeting with the CM.”

He added: “We hope to get a positive response from the chief minister.”