Pakistan lifts ban on Bollywood films: 'Kaabil' to release across the border

Pakistan lifts ban on Bollywood films: 'Kaabil' to release across the border

Kaabil

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in Pakistan issued a notification on Tuesday, announcing that the government has decided to continue with the existing open policy of displaying all international movies, including Indian films, in Pakistan cinemas. Kaabil will be the first film post the months-long ban to release.

Letter issued by Pakistan's I&B Ministry

Cinemas will exhibit a movie after relevant approvals from the Censor Board, the notification, dated January 31, read. A source from Pakistan's exhibitors circles, says, "Hrithik Roshan-starrer Kaabil is already on the programming charts of various cinemas in Pakistan. The film will be censored today. Kaabil was imported in Pakistan a couple of days after it released in India, but a few documents were pending submission. That was completed on January 30."

Ok Jaanu

Meanwhile, hitlist has learnt that applications for import of four more Indian films, including OK Jaanu and Jolly LLB 2, have also been submitted.

Jolly LLB 2

As per rules, a Pakistani importer/distributor of a Bollywood film needs to submit a request to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, while specifying cast, credit and country of origin. The request is then forwarded to the Ministry of Commerce for issuing the import license. The film finally requires clearance from the Pakistan censor board.