Saim Sadiq, director of Pakistan’s Oscar entry Joyland said that producers of film were working with government to “amicably” remove ban on its release in cinemas, as per Arab News.  Prior to this, Salman Sufi a key government advisor tweeted that he would request his friend Marriyum Aurangzeb to “see if it’s possible to review ban and meet team Joyland.”

He wrote in response to widespread outcry sparked by ban, “I personally do not believe in banning films that highlight issues faced by marginalised segments of our society. People should be trusted to watch and make their own mind.” He declared that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a “high-level” committee to “assess complaints as well as merits to decide on Joyland’s release in Pakistan.”

He then thanked Aurangzeb for her efforts.  Following this, a notice issued by Prime Minister’s Office Islamabad confirmed that committee will “deliberate on complaints against Urdu film Joyland.” Minister of Political Affairs, Economic Affairs and Law and Justice Chairperson, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Communications, Minister for Board and Investment, Minister for Information and Technology, Advisor to Prime Minister on Gilgit-Baltistan, Chairman PTA and Chairman PEMRA are members.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 16 2022

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