Pak rules out lifting ban on Indian films

But it would permit foreign movies starring Indian and Pakistani actors to be screened.

Pakistan has ruled out lifting its ban on Indian films but said it would permit foreign movies starring Indian and Pakistani actors to be screened in the country.

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"Foreign movies staring Pakistani and Indian stars would be permitted to be exhibited in Pakistan and the Pakistan Censor Code had been amended to facilitate such productions," Minister for Culture GG Jamal said.

However, Pakistan would not permit the exhibition of films made in India, NNI news agency quoted him as saying.

The minister said the decision to allow screening of foreign films was to "promote Pakisani film stars and other people linked with the industry, so that films of international standards could be produced."

Pakistan had recently lifted a four-decade old ban on Indian movies as a special gesture to allow the screening of two films -- K Asif's magnum opus 'Mughal-e-Azam' and 'Taj Mahal' directed by Akbar Khan.

Jamal said that a festival of Pakistani movies would be held in India in the last week of July or in the beginning of August, adding that six movies had been selected for the festival.

He said a National Film Academy would be established to and the services of the private sector were being sought for this purpose.

Jamal said that the number of Pakistani theatres has dwindled from 1,500 a few years ago to a mere 211 at present.