Islamabad (Web Desk): The Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Pir Amin Ul Hasnat Shah suggested that cinemas should remain closed during Ramazan in Pakistan under Ehtram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs approved a revised copy of Ehtram-e-Ramazan (Amendment) Bill, 2017 during the session under which some additional restrictions and penalties have been put in place.
Senator Tanveer Khan introduced the amended bill ‘Ehtram-e-Ramazan Ordinance’ that warns media organizations, people, cinema houses and hotels to abide by the rules. It also stated that violator will face penalties for violating bill’s provisions.
The amended text of the bill stated that any hotel that is found guilty of violating the ordinance will be fined for Rs. 25,000 now as opposed to previous fine of Rs. 500.
It further added that eating and smoking publically will ensure a Rs. 500 penalty and even up to 3-months of imprisonment.
TV channels have also been cautioned along with the movie cinemas who will be fined Rs. 50,000 or more, if found violating the Ehtram-e-Ramazan Bill.