DHAKA: A Pakistani court has stopped the screening of foreign films, serials and television shows, especially Indian content, on the country’s TV channels, triggering panic and outrage among exhibitors and viewers.

While staying the beaming of foreign content, Lahore high court Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan on Tuesday ruled that Indian films and television serials were included in ‘Negative List’ under the current bilateral trade regime, The Times of India publish this report on Wednesday.

He also directed the federal government and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to submit a detailed reply in this regard at the next hearing on December 12.

The order was issued in response to a petition filed last month by controversial TV talk show host Mubashir Lucman, a former film producer known for his anti-India stance. Lucman had contended that Indian films and TV serials were being imported in violation of Pakistani regulations.

He further claimed that under Pakistani rules, Indian movies that are shot completely in India and are sponsored by an Indian cannot be screened in the country.

BDST: 2021 HRS, DEC 11, 2013