KARACHI – The Pakistani artists, writers and film makers are united to stop the one-sided permission of screening the Indian contents into Pakistan. We demanded of the government to ensure the marketing of the Pakistani films and dramas in India as well.
These views were expressed by renowned artists of the country at a function held under the banner of ‘Our Country Our People’ at Arts Council on Saturday.
A large number of people from all segments of the society representing culture industry including film, drama, TV producers and TV show hosts, actors, writers, technicians, models, musicians, fashion industry experts, film, media and stage actors attended the gathering.
TV artist Atiqa Odho organised the gathering, while famous TV artists Anwar Maqsood, Nida Yasir, Behroze Sabzwari, Dr Anwar Sajjad, Mani and Khalid Anam were among notables there.
On the occasion a huge banner containing pictures of prominent personalities of the culture industry; of past and present remained an attraction for audience. Besides, separate portraits of the culture icons including Noor Jehan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Reshman, Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Javed Shaikh, Nadeem, Bushra Ansari, Atiqa Odho and others had been displayed.
Speaking to the audience Atiqa Odho said that the objective of the event was to unite the people of industry and demonstrate jointly against ‘onslaught’ of media contents from India. Although Pakistani TV dramas are excellent in quality, but the import from India is playing havoc to our local industry.
She made it clear that we are not against the cultural exchange of the films and dramas, but we want equality of this exchange.
Presently, only unilateral permission has been given to the India to import their films and dramas, but we Pakistani artists are not allowed to sell our contents to India, she said adding that Pakistani TV dramas are popular in India, so our government should take up this issue with the its Indian counterpart.
She appealed the Information Ministry of Pakistan to attach the conditions of showing of Pakistani contents into India in exchange for Indian films. “It is a cultural invasion by Indian films, which can be devastating for our industry in the long term”, she warned.
Meanwhile, popular artist Anwar Maqsood praised the efforts of the Atiqa Odho and said that Indian ‘vulgarity’ creating cultural havoc in Pakistan. He also said that Pakistan government should take notice of spread of ‘vulgarity’ in the name of the culture and films.
Another famous actor of TV Khalid Anam said that PEMRA has failed in controlling the inflow of the Indian films on cable TV.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/2/2010
