DAWN.COM

PESHAWAR, May 23: Provincial culture and information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that his government would support inspirational and vulgarity-free films and consider making such films through public-private partnership.

He said this while talking to Pashto film star Shahid Khan and his brother, Arshad Khan, here the other day.

Provincial culture secretary Amzat Hanif Orakzai and Cultural Journalists Forum president Ihtesham Toru was also present on this occasion.

Eulogising the services of Shahid Khan for Pashto film industry, the minister said Pashto film ‘Afghan’ on Pakhtuns and terrorism was commendable work of the actor and said the making of such films was need of the hour.

He said Pakhtuns were a peace-loving nation but unfortunately, it was globally portrayed as terrorists.

“To remove this negative impression about Pakhtuns, such art and commercial movies are needed on the pattern of the film made by Shahid Khan,” the minister said.

Mr Iftikhar appreciated Shahid Khan for changing the name of his upcoming Pashto film ‘Fakhre Afghan’ to ‘Afghan’ at the desire of his nation. He said the name, Fakhre Afghan, was particular for Khudai Khidmatgar Bacha Khan, while Afghan represented all Pakhtuns.

The minister stressed the need for production of films that could present the true image of Pakhtuns locally and internationally.

He said in Pakistan, the film industry was on the verge of collapse but only Pashto films were produced on national circuit in
large numbers. He said due to international scenario, national language had its own importance and that was why various TV and Radio channels had come to existence internationally.

Mr Iftikhar said he was optimistic that if quality Pashto films were made on good topics, they would be huge box office hits.

Actor Shahid endorsed the views of the minister and said there should be a censor board for controlling obscenity and vulgarity in CD films.