Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved the creation of a proposed royalty law and ordered its presentation at the next Punjab Film Authority meeting.
The Punjab government plans to introduce Pakistan's first film royalty law alongside production rebates, cinema restoration, and significant investment in filmmaking infrastructure. Financial incentives approved by the government are designed to encourage local productions and draw in new investment. Feature films produced in the province in the Punjabi language will be eligible for a 35% rebate.
The government intends to launch Lahore Film City by 15 December 2026. This planned complex will feature a museum, a film and music school, a film trading house, a convention centre, a studio facility, and modern sound stages and post-production facilities. Filmmakers will be able to use an online, single-window facility to identify shooting locations and obtain necessary permissions.
Marriyum Aurangzeb also stated that the chief minister wants Punjab to become a global-standard screen tourism destination within five years.
Sarmad Khoosat questioned the lack of royalty payments when his popular television drama 'Humsafar' was announced for a Spanish-language release, saying, "If only there were royalties." Mahira Khan highlighted the financial insecurity faced by technical staff and junior performers during promotional activities for her film 'Aag Lagay Basti Mein'.
