Dec 23, 2021: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday said that promotion of film, drama, music and culture is essential for effective presentation of national narrative at the international level.

Addressing a news conference after the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Information, National Arts Council and PTV regarding the National Entertainment Awards, Fawad said that political debates do not promote the national narrative as effectively as mediums of entertainment do. Sources of entertainment. Fawad said, “These mediums have become weak. Unfortunately, we have destroyed our film and drama industry.”

He said the current MoU was part of the government’s efforts to revive the industry, including bringing back national awards for films, drama, and music.

Fawad Chaudhry claimed that during the 1960s, Pakistan was the third-largest film-producing country globally.

“During the next year, 22 awards would be given to musicians, artists and films. Through these awards, more than 250 million rupees would be given to leading filmmakers, musicians, and artists,” Fawad said.

The minister said the next National Entertainment Awards would be the largest in the country’s history.

He shared that a new film policy has been finalized, which would give many incentives to the local filmmakers, adding that foreign content would be taxed under the new policy.

He said a One Window Operation for No Objection Certificate (NOC) would be introduced for foreign filmmakers who want to go to Pakistan to shoot their films “because there are so many beautiful places in the country”.

He said that a film division has been set up in Pakistan Television (PTV) which will encourage young filmmakers.