PESHAWAR - The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has introduced a bill in the assembly for effective control and regulation of the exhibition of films, CDs, videos, stage drams and shows by means of cinematographs, cable networks or any electronic media in the province.
The legislation called the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Censorship of Motion Pictures (Films, CDs, Stage Dramas and Shows) Bill 2015 after passage from the provincial assembly would be extended to the whole of the province and come into force at once.
After the making this law, the government by notification in the official Gazette, will constitute a number of boards for the purpose of examining and certifying films, CDs, videos, stage dramas and shows, for public exhibition, and would declare the area in respect of which each such board would exercise its powers under the Act.
After promulgation of the Act, no person would make or arrange a public or private exhibition of a film, CD, video, stage drama and show etc, by means of cinematograph, cable networks or any electronic media, as the case may be, unless it has been duly certified by the board.
Under the law, a film, CD, video, stage drama and show etc would not be certified for public exhibition, if, in the opinion of the board, the film, CD, stage drama and show or any party thereof is prejudicial to the glory of Islam or integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or amounts to the commission of, or incitement to an offence.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, for the guidance of the board in the exercise of its powers under this Act, the government may issue a Censorship Code and such directions as it may think fit.
The board under the powers could suspend the exhibition of any exhibition for such a period specified in the order.
The violators of the Act may be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which may be extended to three years, or with fine of Rs.0.1 million, or with both and in the case of a continuing offence, a fine which may extend to Rs.1 million or with imprisonment of three years or with both.
If the owner or person incharge of a cinematograph, cable network or any electronic media or any place uses it or allows it to be used in the contravention of the Act, he shall be punishable with imprisonment.