Daily Times

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has established a 29-member steering committee dedicated to revitalising the film industry and addressing the challenges faced by artists, in a move to revive Lahore as the hub of Pakistan’s film industry.

Senior PML-N leader Senator Pervaiz Rashid will represent the chief minister on the committee, while Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has been appointed as the committee’s convener. Information Minister Azma Bokhari, the provincial secretaries of information, tourism, and finance, as well as prominent figures from the film and arts sectors, are also part of the committee.

The committee’s primary responsibilities will include developing a roadmap for establishing a state-of-the-art film city, a modern film academy, a technologically advanced film lab and developing the overall film infrastructure. It will also work towards setting up the Punjab Film Fund and prepare proposals and a comprehensive policy for the promotion of the film industry in the province.

Maryam Nawaz has asked the committee to submit a set of recommendations within 15 days, focusing on measures for promoting film and arts in Punjab.

One of the committee’s key goals will be to implement an artist welfare system to provide health insurance, social security and welfare benefits for artists, along with preparing a plan for developing a housing society for industry professionals.

In addition to the physical infrastructure, the committee will prepare plans for the establishment of artistic expression centers, along with initiatives to promote art and support emerging talent. The committee will also propose policies to increase the number of cinema houses across Punjab, coupled with special incentives for investors in the film sector. The principal secretary to the chief minister issued an official notification for the formation of the steering committee.