March 23, 2007	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 3, 1428

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LAHORE, March 22: The government should realise that the cinema industry is on the verge of destruction, and due to non-availability of local productions the screening of Indian films in local theatres should be allowed to save it from an impending collapse.

Cinema Exhibitors Association Chairman Jahanzaib Baig said this at a meeting of cinema industry-related people held on Thursday at Gulistan Cinema.

He said the cinema owners’ strike was in fact a cry for help to sensitise the government on the issues of piracy and exhibition of Indian films on cable networks.

He said the cinema industry was facing a crisis, but the government, it seemed, was turning a deaf ear to the problems confronting it.

He said production of at least 20 to 25 flicks annually was necessary for the survival of local cinema and film industries, which were dying a slow death. He said the investors were reluctant to finance film ventures because of dearth of cinemas and filmmakers having little hope in the crumbling business.

He said the government had formed a committee to look into the possibility of screening Indian films in local cinemas, but no progress was visible in this regard.

He requested the government to pay attention to the cinema industry crisis on a priority basis.