Islamabad (Web Desk): A Hollywood production team which is shooting an international film on Pakistani culture held a meeting with Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar in Islamabad on Wednesday.
They held discussion regarding the great cultural heritage and history of Pakistan.
The information minister thanked the Hollywood production team for choosing to produce a film on Pakistani culture. He said it is a great honour for our culture and people.
Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan is a country with a great cultural heritage and its history, literature, music and art are unique which are appreciated worldwide.
He expressed the confidence that the international film will give the world a new opportunity to see the beauty and diversity of Pakistan.
Assuring full support, the minister expressed the confidence the film being produced by the Hollywood production team will be an important milestone for the Pakistani film industry and it will also highlight the soft image of the country.
He also informed the Hollywood production team about the steps taken for the film industry in Pakistan. He said film is the only industry in Pakistan which is fax free.
Alluding to the government's film policy, Tarar said we have given status of industry to the film so that the youth can get an opportunity to enter this sector.
He said a film finance fund had been established at Rs 1 billion in the budget of 2022-23.
Moreover, he said medical insurance for artists and tax incentives for the film industry had boosted the film industry and its related sectors.
Tara said that in the budget 2022-23, five years of tax exemption was given to filmmakers.
“Similarly, income tax exemption of five years has been given on the establishment of new cinemas, production houses, and film museums whereas a tax exemption has been given for ten years on the export of film and drama,” the information minister said.
He said that foreign filmmakers were also given concessions on joint film and drama projects with local producers.
For this, the condition of shooting 70 percent of the film in Pakistan was applicable to promote business activities including tourism and culture.
“Through screen tourism, Pakistan has conveyed its narrative to the world. The minister assured to provide full support and cooperation to the Hollywood production team from the government and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting,” the minister said.
The Hollywood production team recognised that Pakistan has great potential for filmmaking, expressing the commitment to helping the industry grow.
They thanked the government, the people of Pakistan, and the local film industry for the cooperation provided to them during their stay in Pakistan.
They said they were fully enjoying their visit and they were highly impressed by the beautiful locations and heritage of Pakistan.
The delegation comprised James MC Milan, Andrew James Fiero, Luisa Iskin, Sadia Ashraf, Badr Ikram, and Mashal Saqib.
