Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the enactment of Pakistan’s first royalty law for the film industry, while approving a rebate plan for Punjabi and Urdu films made in the province, it was reported on October 26, 2026.
What happened?
The decisions were announced at the maiden meeting of the Punjab Film Authority in Lahore, chaired by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. The proposed royalty law will be presented at the authority’s next meeting, and the rebate policy is expected to provide financial support to filmmakers, encourage quality film production and attract investment to the industry.
Key details
- Films made in Punjab will receive a rebate of 35 per cent for Punjabi films and 20 per cent for Urdu films.
- A state-of-the-art Film City is set to be inaugurated in Lahore on December 15, 2026, featuring a film and music school, a film museum, a trading house, a post-production facility, a studio complex and what is described as Pakistan’s largest convention centre.
- The Film City Authority’s budget of over Rs589 million for the financial year 2026-27 was referred to a financing committee for review.
- Approval was granted to recruit 26 employees in the first phase against 53 sanctioned posts, and the authority’s board will have the power to make appointments and dismissals.
- The meeting also decided to introduce an online one-window facility to help filmmakers identify suitable shooting locations.
- Other measures approved include the restoration of old cinemas, installation of solar systems, provision of affordable entertainment facilities and an online cinema booking system.
- Progress was reviewed on the formation of six committees, including the Punjab Film Fund Committee.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For filmmakers, the royalty law could finally create a formal framework for what artists earn from their work, while the rebates lower the cost of shooting in Punjab. For cinema lovers, the Film City and restored cinemas point to better screens and facilities at home, and for Lahore, the package is pitched as restoring the city’s historic position as the centre of Pakistan’s film industry.
