LAHORE, May 20: The federal government has reportedly responded "positively" to the cinema owners' demand regrading import and exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan.

Sources in the Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association told Dawn on Thursday that the ministry of culture has sent a summary containing a "favourable policy decision" to the federal cabinet.

"The issue of allowing screening of Indian movies in Pakistan will hopefully be taken up in the next cabinet meeting." The ministry of culture, according to sources, has suggested strict censoring of Indian films before exhibition. Besides, the government would like that the Indians should reciprocate by importing Pakistani films.

The ministry's summary also aims at exploring the possibility of joint venture in film-making between the two countries. Cinema Owners Action Committee chairperson Zoraiz Lashari told Dawn that if the government took a policy decision, the import of 25 to 30 Indian films "will infuse a new blood to the national cinema and all its segments will get equal boost."

Mr Lashari hoped that with the permission to screen Indian films would also improve condition of cinema halls. However, he was critical of Wapda which were insisting on charging commercial tariff.

Mr Lashari took exception to the indifference of the government in taking action against the illegal operation of cable operators who were showing Indian and Pakistani films.

He said it was a violation of the copyright laws which the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) should take notice of. Meanwhile, a delegation of the Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association will meet the Punjab excise and taxation department high-ups on Friday to negotiate its demand that entertainment tax on cinema houses should be dispensed with.

The association submitted their demand earlier in the month to the chief minister who helped an early dialogue between the parties to resolve the issue. The excise department is charging Rs2,500, Rs2,000, Rs1,500, Rs1,000 and Rs500 a day as entertainment tax from cinema houses dividing them in A, B, C, D and E categories.