Pakistani authorities have stopped issuing “No Objection Certificates” for the screening of Indian films, holding up the release of new movies such as Gunday and Hasee Toh Phasee .
The Federal Information and Broadcasting Ministry told distributors and exhibitors of Indian films that it was processing new laws and regulations and NOCs would not be issued till these are approved by the federal cabinet.
Nawab Siddiqui, one of Pakistan’s leading distributors and exhibitors and the owner of Atrium Cineplex in Karachi, said authorities stopped the screening of Indian movies last month. “The whole process has just been stopped and we couldn’t get NOCs for new films like Gunday and Hasee Toh Phasee , which were eagerly anticipated in our cinemas.”
Mr. Siddiqui said the cinema and catering industries stood to lose millions of rupees they had invested in cineplexes and malls after the government’s decision in 2006 to allow the screening of Indian films. “Investors and business groups are very worried ... now everything is at a standstill for the last few weeks as no new Indian films have been released.”
