CII chief Dr Qibla Ayaz on Thursday said the Central Board of Film Censors had contacted the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on the issue of Zindagi Tamasha – the movie that could not be screened in cinemas due to the reaction by religious circles.

Ayaz said the issue was, however, being looked into by the Senate, adding that the CII would surely provide guidance in case any institution sought assistance.

He said they had no objection over the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights’ decision to bar the CII from reviewing the film. He, however, added that they would extend help if the committee wanted them to play a role in deciding the fate of the film.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Senate panel, headed by PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, took the decision after the central and provincial censor boards briefed the lawmakers on the movie.

After the in-camera briefing, Khokhar had informed the media persons that the committee had also directed the Central Board of Film Censors to provide a copy of the film for a screening on next Monday March 16.

Only after watching the movie, they would make any decision on its final approval, as Khokhar said they would order the immediate release of the movie, if there was nothing objectionable. But the CII would be consulted if the Senate found anything offensive.

The censor board had stopped the planned screening of Zindagi Tamasha on January 24 after the Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan started a campaign against the movie over its theme while describing it blasphemous.

Zindagi Tamasha is an award-wining movie. Its world premiere was held at the Busan International Film Festival last year, where it was awarded the top fiction prize.

The film's director, Sarmad Khoosat, had said that he never intended to offend anyone, but he, his family and team were receiving threats.