Lahore, Mar 6 : As a mark of protest against non-fulfilment of their demands by the Pakistan Government, cinema owners across Pakistan would start observing a token strike of one day per week from March 15, for three weeks.

One of the major demands of the Pakistan cinema owners is the lifting of the ban on Indian movies for a limited time to allow the cinema industry to bounce back.

The other demands include shutting down of the illegal channels (VCD and DVD channels) being operated by cable operators, and ensuring that only the Pemra's approved channels are shown on Cable TV.

If their demands were not accepted even after observing token strikes, the cinema owners would completely shut down the cinemas after that, reported The Nation.

The cinema industry continues to face a crisis that is worsening day by day as number of productions from Lollywood continue to go down, added the paper.

Recently, a two-member delegation of Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association (PFEA) had called on Federal Secretary for Culture Saleem Gul Sheikh and also had meetings with other high officials including Chairman Pakistan Film Censor Board Azfar Shafqat.

The delegation, comprising President of PFEA Jehanzeb Baig and head of Mandviwalla Entertainment Co. Nadeem Mandviwalla, put forward seven demands, including shutting down the illegal channels (VCD and DVD channels) being operated by cable operators and ensuring that only the Pemra's approved channels are shown on Cable TV.

PFEA has called for lifting of the ban on Indian movies for a limited time to allow the cinema industry to bounce back and amendments to be made in the Cinematography Act. Other demands include introduction of industrial electricity tariff for cinemas, five-year tax holiday on new multiplex cinemas and end of excise duty on cinemas all over the country. Currently only the Punjab province has ended excise duty on cinema business.

"It is desperate situation for us as cinemas across the country are closing down due to lack of business. We don't have any product to show to the people. Last year only about 24 films were made. How can you run the cinemas when there is nothing new to be screened. Now before May no new film is in pipeline for release. How do you meet the expenses of running the cinema? You have to pay salaries to your staff and bear all the bills and taxes. It is high time the government made a move to save the box office," Jehanzeb, who is also owner of Plaza cinema, said.