Pak panel to discuss Indian movies' clearance on Monday

Karachi [Pakistan], Jan. 29 (ANI): Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formed a special committee for the clearance of movies to be screened in the nation that will initiate the process of issuing no objection certificates (NOCs) from Monday. Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, who is heading the panel, told Pakistan daily, The Express Tribune, "Importing the foreign content will be planned and the content will be shared with the censor board and passed through other procedure." The minister added that the entire process will take some time. Meanwhile, in an official statement, Marriyum said the government has decided to maintain the present policy regarding the import of Indian films after reviewing the benefits Pakistani cinema trade can derive from their exhibition. "The close examination of historical and empirical data including the trends of the industry since 1965 till date, it is evident that, the inclusion of all foreign content, including Indian film content in local cinemas, has a multiplier impact on the commerce and development of the Pakistani film trade and industry as a whole," the minister emphasised. However, the daily earlier reported that the authorities have given clearance to Hrithik Roshan-starrer 'Kaabil'. The film's release will mark the end of the self-imposed ban on Bollywood films in Pakistan. (ANI)