ISLAMABAD: The Ministry for Regulations and Services of Pakistan has disbanded the Central Board of Films and Censor (CBFC) and removed its chairman, it was learnt yesterday.
The CBFC is working under the Motion Picture Ordinance 1979 having a task to censor films.
According to one source the move was initiated on complaints of local cinema owners that over 150 PPP supporters were a source of nuisance for their businesses, since they were entering the premises every time a new film was aired at the local cinemas in Rawalpindi.
“The complaints were forwarded to the prime minister’s office,” said one official of the ministry.
According to details, CBFC ordinance had no clause for appointing film coordinators, who were issued passes to enter any cinema house without any ticket to ensure that “a film is shown as per the censor policy of the board.”
“The 160 coordinators were misusing their cards and were basically eyes and ears of the CBFC,” observed the official close to the developments. The official informed that ministry had also disbanded the board of CBFC.
“Even the CBFC board had 60 members other then the 160 coordinators and all were enjoying free entry to cinema houses,” revealed the official.
However, according to the MPO 1979, the board can have five members but the strength of board members was not defined in the ordinance and PPP jiayalas took benefit of the missing clause and expanded the board from five to 60 board members.
The official informed that board members position is not a permanent position in the government but they were enjoying Rs450 transport allowance every time they met for censoring a movie.
Internews
