The Lahore High Court on Wednesday in some identical petitions challenging exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan adjourned the proceedings till February 10. The petitioners, Aslam Dar and others said that the Censor Board was issuing Censor Certificates by approving Indian films fit for exhibition in negation to section 10 of Censorship of Film Rules 1980.
The Board's act was also in violation of Import Policy Order 2007-08 and article 5 of the constitution. Applicants prayed to the court to cancel the Censor Certificates issued by the Board and restrained it from issuing further certificates.
The Secretary, Pakistan Central Board of Film Censors (PCBFC) had already filed a reply in this case stating that it changed rules to facilitate film importers and to revive cinema industry through which. a film produced by foreign countries, other than India despite having Indian cast, could be exhibited in the country.
The Secretary submitted that certain films containing Indian artists and crew imported from the countries other than India were being allowed for exhibition in the country in accordance with the provision of the law. Further, he said that earlier, under Rule 10(2)(b)(iii) of the Censorship of Film Rules 1980, any foreign film irrespective of its country of import, containing Indian and Pakistani artistes was not allowed for exhibition.
In order to revive the cinema industry, which was declining day by day, the federal government made an amendment to the Rule 10 under which, films produced by other countries containing Indian or Pakistani Artists, could also be brought into the country, he said. The PCBFC had filed its reply on behalf of the Secretary Culture and Ministry of Culture in two writ petitions challenging permission for the exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan.
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