Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced plans to establish a 50-acre Film City in Lahore, marking a major push to revitalize Pakistan’s media and entertainment sector. The project, to be located within the Nawaz Sharif IT City, aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for film, television, animation, and digital media production.
Sharing details on her X account, Maryam Nawaz described the initiative as an unprecedented step toward building a sovereign, end-to-end pipeline for content creation in Pakistan. ‘Conceived nearly two years ago and shaped through continuous consultations with filmmakers, producers, and actors, this unprecedented project will create a sovereign, end to end pipeline for content creation in Pakistan,’ she wrote.
The Film City will feature modern studios, sound stages, advanced VFX and post-production labs, diverse backlots with a central lake, a purpose-built convention hall for international award shows, integrated media trade hubs, and a film and music school. According to the Chief Minister, these facilities are designed to bring the glory of filmmaking back to Lahore and Punjab.
The initiative is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities while reducing Pakistan’s reliance on foreign production services. It will also promote emerging sectors such as animation, gaming, and digital media. The Punjab government has emphasized that the project will be completed in phases, with further details to be announced later.
Maryam Nawaz described the Punjab Film City as ‘a gift to our youth and artists… a space where their dreams can take flight and the true, vibrant face of Pakistan is showcased to the world.’ The announcement has been widely welcomed by industry stakeholders, who see it as a long-awaited step to revive Pakistan’s cinema industry, which has faced challenges from piracy, lack of infrastructure, and competition from foreign content.
The project aligns with global trends where dedicated film cities have boosted local economies and cultural output. For comparison, similar hubs like Bollywood in India and global film production hubs have become economic drivers. The Punjab Film City is poised to put Lahore back on the map as a center for cinematic excellence.
Source: ARY News