Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formed a 29-member steering committee aimed at revitalizing the film industry and addressing the challenges faced by artists, with the goal of restoring Lahore as the heart of Pakistan’s cinema.
Senior PML-N leader Senator Pervaiz Rashid will represent the chief minister on the committee, while Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has been appointed as its convener. The committee also includes Information Minister Uzma Bokhari, provincial secretaries from the information, tourism, and finance departments, as well as prominent figures from the film and arts sectors.
The committee’s primary responsibilities will involve creating a roadmap for the establishment of a state-of-the-art film city, a modern film academy, and a technologically advanced film lab, while enhancing overall film infrastructure. Additionally, it will work towards setting up the Punjab Film Fund and develop comprehensive policies to promote the film industry in the province.
Maryam Nawaz has directed the committee to submit a set of recommendations within 15 days, focusing on measures to promote film and arts in Punjab.
A key objective of the committee will be to implement an artist welfare system that provides health insurance, social security, and welfare benefits for artists. It will also devise a plan for a housing society for industry professionals.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the committee will develop plans for artistic expression centers and initiatives to promote art and support emerging talent. Moreover, it will propose policies to increase the number of cinemas across Punjab, along with special incentives for investors in the film sector.
The formation of the steering committee has been officially announced by the principal secretary to the chief minister.
