Lahore High Court issued notices to Chairman Pakistan Central Board of Film Censors (PCBFC) and Deputy Attorney General for January 26 in identical petitions filed by Pakistani film producers, importers, exporters, distributors and cinema owners to become party in a case against exhibition of Indian films.
The petitioners have prayed to the court to implead them as party in the proceedings already pending with the court. The applicants further requested the court to declare the exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan as illegal and without any legal jurisdiction.
They said the Board was issuing the Censor Certificates by approving Indian films fit for exhibition in negation to section 10 of Censorship of Film Rules 1980. The act of the Board was also violative 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 petitions were filed by Saghar Nawab Chairman Pakistan Film Workers Association and Muhammad Saleem Butt vice chairman Cinematographers Association of Pakistan.
Petitioners submitted that movies which were exhibited in Pakistan were included Goal, Race, Rahguzar, Taray Zameen Par, Bhagam Bhag, Welcome, Bhootnath, Jannat, Kismat Connection, Honey and Money, Love Story-2050, Kidnap and Drona.
Petitioners said in violation of rules the sensor board and cultural ministry allowed their exhibition in Pakistan, which was a discriminatory act. They prayed that exhibition of Indian Films in Pakistan be declared unlawful, illegal and against the Film Rules 1980. And till the decision of petitions, no Indian movie to be allowed to be exhibited, they also prayed.