The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday warned that it would stay the screening of Bollywood film Kaala if all parties to the case were unable to submit their responses by Nov 16 to a petition seeking a ban on its release.

A petition filed by filmmaker Sohail Ahmed Khan last month argued that the release of Indian films in Pakistan has an adverse effect on the local film industry. Khan is a member of the Pakistan Film Producers' Association.

Khan's lawyer Amir Saeed, who appeared before court on the producer's behalf, alleged that recently the Bollywood film Thugs of Hindostan had been released in local cinemas illegally.

The high court issued notices to the Central Board of Film Certification, the Information Ministry, the Commerce Ministry and the federal government.

Private cinema owners, who today requested to become party in the case, were directed to submit their responses to the court by Nov 16.

The censor board, ministries of commerce and information and the federal government have already submitted their replies in the court.