May 13, 2026
By Aitzaz Ibrahim
LAHORE
Punjab is set to establish its first-ever 50-acre Film City in Lahore after the Punjab Assembly approved the Punjab Film City Authority Bill 2026, a major initiative aimed at promoting, regulating and developing the film and cinema industry in the province, including film production, animation, visual effects, virtual production and allied creative sectors.
The new law provides for the creation of the Punjab Film City Authority along with a separate Punjab Film Fund to support film production, animation, visual effects, virtual production and other creative sectors linked to cinema and digital media.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also shared details of the project on her official X account, describing the initiative as a ‘first-of-its-kind’ project designed to bring “the glory of filmmaking back to Lahore and Punjab.”
According to the CM, the Film City project was conceived nearly two years ago and developed after consultations with filmmakers, producers and actors from the industry. She said the project would establish a complete and sovereign pipeline for content creation in Pakistan.
The proposed Punjab Film City will include film studios, sound stages, advanced visual effects and post-production laboratories, diverse backlots, a central lake and a purpose-built convention hall intended for international award shows and large-scale entertainment events.
The CM said the initiative would reduce reliance on foreign production services and strengthen local creative industries by providing modern infrastructure and technical facilities within Pakistan.
She added that the project is expected to create thousands of employment opportunities and position Pakistan as an international destination for film-making, technology, culture and creative innovation.
“Our vision is to transform Punjab into a global destination for technology, innovation, heritage and culture,” the CM said in her statement shared on X, adding that the Film City project was “a gift to our youth and artists” and a platform to showcase the “true, vibrant face of Pakistan” to the world.
What’s included in the bill?
Under the law passed by the Punjab Assembly, the Punjab Film City Authority will function as a corporate body with powers to acquire land, enter into contracts, establish partnerships, lease infrastructure and regulate film and cinema-related projects in the province.
The authority will be chaired by the chief minister or a minister nominated by the chief minister and will include senior government officials, film professionals and experts from the fields of law, finance and academia. A chief executive officer appointed by the government will manage the authority’s day-to-day affairs.
The legislation gives the authority wide-ranging powers to establish film studios, outdoor shooting sets, editing facilities and technical infrastructure required for modern film-making and digital production.
The authority will also be able to collaborate with national and international companies, development agencies and production houses through joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
A major component of the legislation is the establishment of the Punjab Film Fund, which will function as a separate development fund dedicated to supporting the film and cinema industry.
According to the bill, the fund may provide grants, subsidies, rebates and financial incentives for films, animation projects, visual effects productions and digital media initiatives.
The fund may also support training programs, fellowships, workshops, film festivals and international promotion of Pakistani films.
The legislation further focuses on expanding cinema infrastructure across Punjab. The authority will promote the establishment of multiplexes, art-house cinemas, community cinemas, mobile cinemas and open-air cinemas, particularly in areas where cinema facilities are limited.
The law also allows support for rehabilitation and modernization of old or closed cinema halls, including installation of digital projection systems and other modern technologies.
In addition, the authority will promote Pakistani films, including regional language productions, documentaries, animation and independent cinema projects. It will also organize cultural programs, educational screenings and film festivals.
The authority will have powers to impose fees, rents and service charges related to Film City facilities and infrastructure. It may also generate revenue through leasing, licensing agreements and investments.
Opposition lawmakers, however, criticized the legislation and argued that public resources should instead be prioritized for sectors such as health and education. Opposition members also questioned the urgency with which the government was introducing legislation in the assembly.
Despite opposition criticism, the Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Film City Authority Bill by majority vote, clearing the way for the launch of Punjab’s first Film City project and a new institutional framework for the province’s film and cinema industry.