PM Shehbaz Sharif orders review of ban on 'Joyland'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a review of the ban on the movie ‘Joyland’, days before its theatrical release.

Joyland, which received global accolades for its portrayal of a transgender love affair, is banned for ‘highly objectionable material’. The film, which portrays a love affair between a man and a transgender woman, has won global accolades on movie festival circuits, including at Cannes earlier this year. It was slated to be released in Pakistan on November 18.

The film was cleared by the country’s provincial as well as central censor boards in August. Films have to be passed by federal as well as provincial censor boards before they are allowed to be screened in theatres. However, a complaint by a religious party leader forced the federal censor board to reverse its earlier decision, and to declare the movie ineligible for the ‘whole of Pakistan.’

Now, according to a tweet posted by advocate Salman Sufi, an adviser to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a high-level committee is being set up to assess ‘Joyland’ and review the ban. “The committee will assess the complaints as well as merits to decide on its release in Pakistan,” Sufi tweeted. He could not immediately be contacted for more details.

I personally do not believe in banning films that highlight issues faced by marginalized segments of our society. People should be trusted to watch & make their own mind.

I will request my friend @Marriyum_A to see if it’s possible to review the ban & meet the team #Joyland

— Salman Sufi (Get New Covid Booster Today) (@SalmanSufi7) November 12, 2022