Pak court rejects petition for ban on Indian films' screening

A Pakistani court has rejected a petition seeking ban on broadcast of smuggled Indian films in the country.

The representatives of Cinema Owners Association (COA) and Films Producers Association (FPA) assured the Lahore High Court (LHC) that cinema owners and film producers would take strict steps against the exhibition of illegal Indian films, the Daily Times reported.

According to the report, they also informed the court that they had reached on an agreement under which 50 percent Pakistani cinemas would exhibit only local films, and the employees of the national film industry would get benefits from its income.

Meanwhile, the petitioner, who is an anchor of a private television channel, said he would file a fresh petition against exhibition of Indian dramas, advertisements, stage shows, game shows and other Indian programmes in Pakistan.

Petitioner had blamed the Pakistan Censor Board (PCB) for issuing illegal licenses to illegal Indian films having fake documentation.

He alleged that the Indian films were promoting terrorism and lawlessness in Pakistan, the report added.