Following the ban on internationally acclaimed Pakistani film ‘Joyland’ and the outcry all over the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee to evaluate complaints filed against the film which was banned almost a week before its release in Pakistan.
Prime Minister’s Office also issued a notice in this regard. The committee will comprise Minister of Political Affairs, Economic Affairs and Law & Justice Chairperson, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Communications, Minister for Board and Investment, Minister for Information and Technology, Adviser to Prime Minister on Gilgit-Baltistan, Chairman PTA and Chairman PEMRA will reportedly review the decision.
Head of Pakistani Prime Minister’s Strategic Reforms –Salman Sufi – publicly requested Information and Broadcasting Minister – Marriyum Aurangzeb – to review the ban, and urged that movies highlighting issues faced by marginalised communities shouldn’t be banned.
Sufi also thanked the PM and minister for forming a high level committee to review ban on ‘Joyland’.
Sufi opined, “I personally do not think that movies that focus on problems experienced by socially excluded groups should be banned. Trusting people to watch and form their own opinions is important.”
PM @CMShehbaz has constituted a high level committee to assess #Joyland and review its ban.
The committee will assess the complaints as well as merits to decide on its release in Pakistan.
Thank you @Marriyum_A for your efforts. #joylandbanned
— Salman Sufi (Get New Covid Booster Today) (@SalmanSufi7) November 14, 2022
I personally do not believe in banning films that highlight issues faced by marginalized segments of our society. People should be trusted to watch & make their own mind.
I will request my friend @Marriyum_A to see if it’s possible to review the ban & meet the team #Joyland
— Salman Sufi (Get New Covid Booster Today) (@SalmanSufi7) November 12, 2022
الحمدللہ! @GovtofPakistan
نےمتنازع فلم جوائےلینڈکوجاری کردہ نمائش کالائسنس منسوخ کردیاہے۔نوٹیفیکیشن جاری،یہ حکومت کااحسن اقدام ہے۔پاکستان اسلامی مملکت ہےیہاں کوئی قانون، کوئی اقدام،کوئی نظریہ خلافِ اسلام نہیں چل سکتا۔#BanJoyland pic.twitter.com/tib00zo6Dd— Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan (@SenatorMushtaq) November 12, 2022
Notable names in the industry including actors Sarwat Gillani, Osman Khalid Butt, Adnan Malik, Sanam Saeed, author Fatima Bhutto, Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousufzai, and Hollywood actress Alexandra Daddario have expressed their support for the film.
Joyland was originally slated for release on November 18, 2022. The film took awards at the Cannes Film Festival.
The film revolves around the struggles of transgender community, and was selected for Pakistan’s first official entry for the Oscars.
Celebrities decry ban on internationally recognised Pakistani movie Joyland
