KARACHI: The federal government put on Wednesday a ban on the film Maalik which was released on April 8 nationwide, declaring it “uncertified” and making it unfit for screening in the country.

The ban caused quite a few people to question the timing of the decision. The question that most cine-goers, filmmakers and critics asked was why after three weeks of successive and successful screening in multiplexes, and not before it was given the certificate for public viewing, Section 9 of the Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979 was invoked. Of course, the authorities concerned must have seen it before giving it the green signal.

Maalik takes the politicians to the cleaners. Apart from that, it shows extremist elements in a manner which had many people talking about it. In the story there is a negative character of a chief minister associated with a certain political party.

It has been reported that ever since the release of the film the government was receiving complaints about it, which finally compelled it to disallow it to be shown in cinemas.

On Tuesday, the news of a ban spread like wildfire. But the government decided not to go ahead with its decision as the Sindh chief minister intervened, calling the idea against freedom of expression. However, on Wednesday evening, tongues began to wag one more time as the digital media broke the news that the ban had officially been imposed.

The director of the film Aasher Azeem’s tweet confirmed it. A copy of the notification was available on the internet as well.

Talking to Dawn renowned actress and member of the Censor Board Zeba Bakhtiar said, “Being a member of the Censor Board does not mean anything. The federal government overrides every decision. I condemn the ban.

“It is absurd. It can damage the image of Pakistan internationally. We need a softer image. Cinema has never been taken seriously in our country. They need to realise the importance of entertainment and understand that a lot of people’s livelihood depends on this industry.”

Ad filmmaker Sohail Javed said, “Films are made all around the world. They criticise their own people. Hollywood unmasks the follies of their important institutions. In India, Vishal Bhardwaj made Haider in which he tactfully criticised the Indian army and government. Film is about storytelling. If we keep banning movies then everybody will get up and say don’t speak against me or don’t make a film showing me in a bad light.”

Actor Behroz Sabzwari said, “What is this? I don’t understand this. If there is a certain aspect of the story that you don’t like, it doesn’t mean that you ban the film.”

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2016