Islamabad’s only cinema sealed for screening movies at ‘Iftar time’

Published July 27, 2014
Notice on the Cineplex website says the cinema has been closed until further notice.
Notice on the Cineplex website says the cinema has been closed until further notice.

ISLAMABAD: The district administration on Saturday sealed Cineplex, the only cinema in the federal capital located at Centaurus Mall, and arrested five of its employees for screening movies at ‘Iftar time’.

The administration closed the cinema for an indefinite period under the Ehteram-i-Ramazan Ordinance, which prohibits screening of movies during Iftar and Taraveeh.

The fun-starved people of the federal capital expressed their fear that they would be deprived of entertainment during Eid days as Islamabad has no other cinema.

“Following a complaint by a citizen, we raided the Centaurus shopping mall and sealed Cineplex for showing film during Ramazan,” said Abdul Sattar Esani, additional deputy commissioner general.

Sources said during the raid fear and panic gripped the people visiting the Mall for Eid shopping.

It is relevant to note here that it was only entertaining place for around two million citizens of the federal capital.

“At the moment, I can’t say when the cinema will be reopened. Besides fine, the cinema could be sealed for a maximum of six months under the ordinance,” Mr Esani said and added that cases against the arrested employees of the cinema would be registered under the ordinance.

Islamabad used to have three cinemas: Nafdec, Melody and Sitara Market, which were closed due to various reasons, including riots, in which the Melody Cinema was burnt.

“Being a citizen, I have serious concerns about the closure of the cinema. I will request the authorities concerned to open the cinema for Eid, as in the federal capital we have no alternative source of entertainment,” said Mohammad Ishtiaq, a frequent customer to the Centaurus Shopping Mall.

Despite repeated attempts, the Cineplex administration could not be approached for comments.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...