LAHORE: The shooting of films and dramas in mosques has been banned by the Punjab Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department over the recent controversy at Wazir Khan mosque.
A notification dated on 13th August 2020, stated that if any scene is filmed in a mosque or a shrine, the relevant manager and zonal administrator would be responsible.
“The permission to film a documentary in these spaces will be subject to consultation with the department of religious affairs,” the notification added.
The notification further added that no cinematography featuring a woman in a shrine or mosque will be permitted.
There are around 544 shrines and 437 mosques fall under the management of the Auqaf department, which has listed the rules and regulations to be applied.
The notification came after backlash from the public over the shoot of a music video featuring Bilal Saeed and Saba Qamar at Wazir Khan mosque in Lahore.
Following the incident, an FIR was registered on the complaint stating that the act of filming a music video at the mosque hurt the religious sentiments.
The complainant added that the action against the mosque administration should also be taken immediately.