Maryam Nawaz wants to bring Lahore’s film industry back to life

Punjab Chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has taken a major step to revive Punjab’s film industry by setting up a 29 member steering committee.

The committee is dedicated to addressing challenges faced by artists and revitalizing Lahore as Pakistan’s cinematic hub. With Punjab’s rich cultural heritage, this initiative aims to restore Lahore’s historical status in the film industry and offer a brighter future for artists across the province.

Former federal minister and senior leader of PML-N Pervaiz Rashid will represent the Chief Minister on the committee, while senior minister Mariyam Aurangzeb has been appointed as the convener. The committee includes prominent figures like Information minister Punjab Azma Bohari, provincial secretaries of information, tourism, and finance leading, along with leading personalities from the film and arts sector.

Members will modernize film production infrastructure in Punjab. The committee has been tasked to establish the Punjab Film Fund, that shall provide financial backing and incentives for the sector to grow further.
Tasks include creating a plan to build a state of the art film city, a film academy, and a technologically advanced film lab.
Maryam Nawaz has directed the committee to submit detailed recommendations within 15 days. A key element of this plan is the artist welfare system, designed to provide health insurance, social security, and welfare benefits for artists.

The committee’s work will also include creating spaces for artistic expression and supporting emerging talent. A major objective is to increase the number of cinema houses across Punjab, offering more screening venues for local films. Special incentives for investors are also being considered to boost cinema development and foster new business opportunities in film.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved an increase in grant for the Artist Service card, enhancing support for artists across the province. Chairing the 19th meeting of the Punjab Cabinet, the chief minister emphasized that the new policy would cover both financial and social support, aiming to create a stable environment for the artist community across the province.