In a bid to promote Pakistani films, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage has issued a notice banning the screening of Bollywood films during Eid.
Indian films will not be played in any cinema across Pakistan during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-Ul-Azha. An official notification was issued where the ministry addressed directly to the Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association.
An excerpt from the notification read;
In order to revive and promote local film industry in Pakistan, the Federal Government has decided to put a limited restriction on exhibition/screening of Indian films during the period of around Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Azha. The restriction shall remain in force for two days before and two weeks after Eid days.
Additionally, the government has advised all distributors and importers of foreign films to restrain from exhibition/screening of Bollywood films in cinemas across Pakistan.
Surprisingly the notification specifically mentions Indian films looking past Hollywood films. It is still not clear whether this notification is also applied to Hollywood films.
A series of Pakistani films will be released on Eid-Ul-Fitr and with the holidays already started, Eid is usually a time when huge crowds are drawn towards cinemas in Pakistan.
The notification may disappoint Salman Khan fans who were anticipating the release of Race 3 on Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Pakistani Films Releasing on Eids 2018
Pakistan is set to release as many as four films during Eid including Mahira Khan’s ‘7 Din Mohabbat In’.
According to official release dates, Azaadi, Shor Sharaba, and Wajood will also be releasing on Eid-Ul-Fitr.
For Eid-Ul-Azha, Pakistani films releasing include Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2, Load Wedding, and Parwaaz Hai Junoon.