Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Wednesday underlined the need for promoting film, drama, music and culture to effectively present national narrative at the international level.
Addressing a press conference after signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Information, National Arts Council and Pakistan Television (PTV) regarding National Entertainment Awards, the minister said that political debates did not promote the national narrative as effectively as do the mediums of entertainment.
He said the next National Entertainment Awards would be the largest in the history of the country. Rs250 million would be allocated for 22 awards in film, television and music categories.
The minister said the new film policy had been finalised which would give many incentives to the local film makers, whereas foreign content would be taxed.
The minister said he had proposed to the Federal Board of Revenue that imported dramas should be taxed to protect local entertainment industry. Instead of foreign artists, casting of local ones in advertisement would be encouraged, he added.
He announced one-window system to attract foreign filmmakers to shoot their movies in Pakistan. A film division had been set up in the PTV which would encourage young filmmakers, he added.
Mr Chaudhry said the national TV film division was producing two big-budget movies on the lives of Mughal King Babar and national poet Allama Iqbal with the collaboration of Uzbekistan and Iran, respectively. Moreover, a private firm was making a film on the life of Tipu Sultan.
Speaking g on the occasion, President of Arts Council of Pakistan Mohammad Ahmed Shah said the national awards to be held under the patronage of the government would be totally merit-based and no favour would be given to anyone.
He said the Arts Council would host next international Urdu Conference in Islamabad in March next year.
