The history of cinema in Pakistan is rich, complex and has a number of twists and turns. For example, when the movie industry started in the early 20th century, cinemas were popular and ran strictly on state patronage. However, after World War II, the government decided to shut down the industry due to displeasure over Hollywood films promoting American culture and glamorizing excessive consumerism. When the film industry was later reopened, it was a shadow of its former self. Yet times have changed and today Pakistan’s cinema is thriving.
When cinema started taking off in the United States around 1910, it quickly became a popular pastime in Europe and Australia as well. In 1913, Leland Holey opened the first movie theatre in Pakistan at Lahore. The following year, Hollywood films started being screened at cinemas across Pakistan to much enthusiasm. However, this enthusiasm was short-lived. Even though movies were popularized by European immigrants to America’s southern states—where they ran strictly on state patronage—the Pakistani government did not feel the same way about Hollywood films. They felt that these films promoted American culture and glamorized excessive consumerism at a time when famine was ravaging Europe’s poorer countries.
To protest Hollywood’s pro-American stance during the Cold War era, Pakistani leaders decided that it would be best to ban all Hollywood films from being screened within their country’s borders. As part of this plan, they asked their allies — primarily socialist countries like China — for help screening their own movies instead so as not to promote capitalism or “Americanization” either. This boycott lasted for decades until 1976 when leaders realized how much revenue they were losing by banning cinema— especially considering how few people owned televisions at the time. Consequently, they changed their minds about cinema and allowed it once again under strict government regulation. The regulation ensured that only quality content could be shown in order to raise people’s standards of living while also educating them on social issues like drug abuse and gambling addiction through educational programs broadcast alongside movies
Just like with television today, there was a big demand for cinemas
when Pakistani cinemas reopened under stricter government supervision in 1977—
especially since most people didn’t have televisions yet anyway. This time
around, state authorities ensured that only well-known film directors could
apply for permits to run cinemas under their patronage— so as to uphold public
standards while also promoting quality content as before . After years of
successfully running their own cinemas under strict government regulation —
during which time they went from having just three cinemas to now having around
1306 — Pakistani cinema owners sought greater freedom . In 2002 , national
legislation gave local governments greater flexibility when it came to
licensing new businesses . This has led to an increase in businesses that run
without any governmental supervision whatsoever .
Today Pakistan boasts one of Asia’s most thriving film industries with some of its greatest actors becoming international stars thanks to Pakistani cinema . While there is still opposition towards American culture within Pakistan today due to Islamabad’s close ties with Washington D.C., Pakistani cinema is thriving nonetheless . It has become such an important part of Pakistani life that “cinema clubs” hold weekly screenings in major cities for anyone who wants to attend them . Several universities offer courses specifically designed for students interested in joining the film industry or studying marketing related to film production . Despite all these accomplishments , there are still challenges facing Pakistani cinema such as censorship issues related to religious extremism or terrorism along with language barriers when it comes to translation into regional languages like Pushto or Balochi . Nevertheless , with such a strong support base behind them , it is clear that these filmmakers are able gain ground against such challenges in the long run!