LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed officials to establish the province’s first film city, film studio and post-production lab, along with Pakistan’s first dedicated film school, as part of a broader push to revive the local film industry.
The chief minister ordered that space for the film city, studio and post-production facilities be allocated within the ‘Nawaz Sharif IT City’ in Lahore. She also reviewed progress on design work and related preparations for the project.
In a parallel move, the provincial government has constituted an eight-member committee to provide financial assistance for film production. The committee was formed after formal approval from the Punjab cabinet and will issue grants to filmmakers to promote the industry in the province.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has been named convener of the committee. Its members include Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, and Minister for Human Rights & Minority Affairs Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora.
Also on the panel are Information Secretary Tahir Raza Hamdani, Planning Secretary Asif Tufail, Finance Secretary Mujahid Sherdil and Tourism Secretary Farid Ahmed Tarar.
According to officials, the committee will review applications from filmmakers and production companies, evaluate new projects and unfinished film scripts, and decide on fund management, eligibility criteria and box office incentives. It has also been authorised to form sub-committees on specific issues.
The Nawaz Sharif IT City project, launched in May 2024, spans 853 acres and includes plans for a Knowledge City and a Film City. The government has said it will offer comprehensive facilities to investors and has already received interest from leading IT companies.
An information department spokesperson said the decision to revive the local film industry was taken because it had been “suffering due to various issues for the past many years.” Funds for the initiative are expected to be allocated in the coming annual budget.
