400 new private TV channels

LAHORE, Pakistan : April 04 (PNS) - Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Sheikh Rashid has called upon the Pakistani film industry to be ready to meet the creative and technological challenges of the present era.

He was addressing the 46th Nigar Public Film Awards ceremony at Sozo Water Park, about 20 km from here. The lush green park was packed with stars and starlets, film artistes including veterans and the new generation of 'wannabes', as well as drama and theatre artistes, singers and musicians representing the Lollywood industry. Also present were senior officials and notable personalities from the performing arts as well as the media.

Superb compering by Bahroze Sabzwari and Bushra Ansari added to the colourful ceremony, cracking jokes, puns and one-liners that kept the audience bursting into laughter time and again. The minister said artistes who are truly talented do not depend on state support or funding for the promotion of their art. However, he added, the government held them in high esteem and would support good art and artistes.

Talking about films, he said that a number of classic movies even today was a source of enjoyment for people. He said actors and actresses should strive to excel in their field, and not be shy to learn from their seniors. He said the electronic media was another vital source of entertainment in today's world, and offered vast opportunities to our actors. He said as many as 400 new private TV channels would be introduced within the next six months. Minister of State for Culture and Sports, Rais Munier Ahmed speaking on the occasion congratulated Nigar Award administration for their patronage of Pakistani cinema since the last 46 years.