ISLAMABAD: The federal government banned Ashir Azeem's film Maalik nationwide in a notification issued Wednesday.

The Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, and National Heritage issued a notification declaring the Urdu feature film "uncertified" according to Section 9 of the Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979.

Director Ashir Azeem also tweeted the ban.

The film, released three weeks ago, had generated complaints regarding its controversial depiction of the Taliban and parallels with the assassination of a prominent government official by his personal security guard.

In a blink-and-you'll miss it move last night, the Sindh government decided to ban the film Maalik and then revoked that notice all in the space of a few hours.

The culture ministry had drafted a notification ordering a ban on the movie for being ‘biased’ and inciting violence.

However, before it was formally issued, the Sindh chief minister intervened and asked the ministry not to issue it as it would be ‘against the freedom of expression’.

The film team had assured the Sindh government objectionable scenes would be cut, but the film's certification was revoked as it wasn't done.

Cinemas cancel shows, refund tickets

Local cinemas have cancelled the movie's shows with immediate effect and are refunding the tickets following the ban imposed on the film.