Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken key steps to revive the province’s struggling film industry.
She has formed an eight-member committee to support local film producers. The committee will prepare a policy to provide financial aid to filmmakers.
CM Maryam also approved the construction of Punjab’s first film city, a studio, and a post-production lab.
In another major move, she greenlit the building of a public sector film school to train future film professionals.
These decisions are part of a wider plan to revive culture in Punjab.
Earlier this month, the government revived the Mela Chiraghan after years and held a Punjabi culture festival at the Alhamra Arts Council.
The spokesperson for the information and culture department said the film industry has faced decline for years.
Provincial Senior Minister Mariyyum Aurangzeb will lead the committee. It includes senior government officials and will oversee the setup of the film city, studio, and lab.
The film city will be built in “Nawaz Sharif Information Technology City.” Work is ongoing to finalise the design and details.
The Punjab cabinet approved the formation of the committee.
Funds for the initiative will be allocated in the upcoming annual budget.
Ejaz Kamran, former chairman of Pakistan Film Distributors Association, praised the move. He said a lack of support had kept producers from working on films in Punjab.
He added that film associations were unable to help due to the tough situation.
