In its latest expression of being annoyed and irked by India’s decisions on Kashmir, Pakistan on Thursday announced that it will ban the screening of Indian (Bollywood) films.
This announcement to ban Bollywood movies comes after Islamabad announced its decision of downgrading diplomatic ties with India on Wednesday amid the new rift related to the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan has also expelled bilateral trade between the two nations besides recalling its envoy back from India and sending back India’s envoy to New Delhi.
No Indian content to be screened in Pakistan: Adviser to Imran Khan
Firdous Ashiq Awan, one of the key advisers to Imran Khan stated that no Bollywood films or similar content will be screened in cinema halls across Pakistan. He further added that India drama, films and every other type of visual content will be completely banned in Pakistan. Needless to say, this decision comes from Pakistan’s frustration over the scrapping of Article 370 by the government of India.
This is not the first time that Pakistan has used cinema as a bargaining tool for mounting diplomatic pressure on India. This is for the second time in the last 12 months that Pakistan has gone about putting a blanket ban on screening Indian cinema. Before this Pakistan also decided to ban Bollywood films like Raazi, Paramanu and Mulk citing objectionable content.
While Pakistan has gone all out to sabotage diplomatic ties with India and has also suspended the Samjhauta Express, Indian External Affairs Ministry on Thursday called upon Islamabad to not severe the diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.
