PA approves Punjab Film City Bill 2026 amid heated debate and opposition uprising

The Punjab Film City Authority Bill 2026, aimed at reviving the province’s film and creative industry, sparked a highly charged debate in the Punjab Assembly on Wednesday, marked by heated exchanges, political point-scoring and procedural objections, before it was passed by a majority vote.

Senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb moved the bill in Parliament, presenting it as a long-term policy initiative to rebuild what she called a “collapsed” film industry. She told lawmakers that Pakistan had failed to develop its screen tourism and film production capacity over decades, affecting the country’s global image and depriving artists of opportunities.

She said the proposed authority would establish a modern film city spread over substantial land, with film schools, music academies, production houses and supporting infrastructure to create jobs and generate revenue.

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Aurangzeb stressed that the bill had already gone through the standing committee process and was supported by detailed planning over the past year and a half under the provincial leadership.

She rejected the opposition’s claims of misplaced priorities and claimed that the government had significantly increased spending on key sectors.

According to her, the education budget had increased from Rs.30 billion to Rs.130 billion, the health development budget had increased manifold, and agricultural initiatives such as farmer cards and distribution of thousands of tractors reflected strong support for the rural economy.

She accused the opposition of “misleading Parliament” and presenting incorrect figures.

However, the opposition raised strong criticism led by Mian Ejaz Shafi and other lawmakers who questioned the intent and urgency of the bill.

They argued that at a time when some 25 million children were out of school and public services were facing severe strain, allocating resources to a film city project was unjustified.

Opposition members argued that funds were effectively diverted from the education and health sectors and described the move as a misplacement of priorities.

Several opposition lawmakers also criticized the legislative process, saying the bill was introduced and pushed for passage without sufficient time for scrutiny. Some members pointed out that the draft had only recently been shared, limiting meaningful debate.

They called for wider consultation, particularly with stakeholders from the film and arts community, many of whom they claimed were unaware of the details of the bill.

Also read: 50 hectare film city on the way

The session saw repeated disruptions as the political rhetoric intensified.

Opposition members made sarcastic and personal remarks aimed at political leadership, including comments about dignitaries’ interest in music and films, which provoked strong reactions from the Treasury.

PA Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan intervened several times and ordered such remarks to be deleted from the official record and urged members to limit their speeches to the bill.

Finance Ministry members, including Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman and others, defended the government’s position, arguing that personal attacks were inappropriate and that the opposition should engage constructively in politics.

Government lawmakers maintained that revival of the film industry would not only preserve cultural heritage but also stimulate economic activity, create employment for artists and technicians, and promote Pakistan internationally.

The speaker repeatedly tried to restore order, warning members that the assembly was not a political stage but a legislative forum.

He emphasized the need to proceed systematically with the bill’s clauses and warned that continued disorder could delay the proceedings.

Other opposition figures, including Waqas Maan and retired Brigadier General Mushtaq Ahmad, raised broader concerns about governance during the debate.

They questioned the government’s spending priorities, transparency in public spending and the role of the bureaucracy in implementing such large-scale projects. Some also linked the discussion to broader political narratives, arguing that successive governments had contributed to the decline of the film industry.

Despite the pandemonium and walkout-like atmosphere during parts of the session, the government pressed ahead with the legislative process. In his closing remarks, Aurangzeb reiterated that the initiative was designed to revive a “dead industry”, provide institutional support to artists and create a sustainable creative economy.