A growing debate is taking shape within Pakistan’s entertainment industry after concerns were raised over a provision in the Financial Bill 2026 that proposes removing advance tax on imported foreign television content and advertisements.
Among those speaking out are veteran actress Hina Khawaja Bayat and actor Faysal Quraishi, both of whom believe the move could have serious consequences for local productions and the thousands of people connected to Pakistan’s entertainment sector.
Sharing her concerns, Hina Khawaja Bayat questioned why local artists should face new challenges after years of hard work that helped Pakistani dramas earn recognition both at home and internationally. She stressed that the industry has invested tremendous effort in building its reputation and attracting audiences around the world.
Referring to the proposed policy, Hina said that after successfully establishing the value of Pakistani dramas, giving preference to foreign content could ultimately harm local actors, writers, directors, producers, and other creative professionals.
She warned that cheaper imported programming could encourage broadcasters to invest less in local productions, reducing opportunities for homegrown talent.
The actress also highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence, cautioning that emerging technologies could soon replace dubbing artists and other creative workers, creating additional challenges for an industry already facing rapid change.
Faysal Quraishi shared similar concerns while reacting to the proposed tax relief.
According to the actor, removing advance tax on imported television content could make foreign productions a more attractive option for broadcasters because of their lower cost, potentially resulting in fewer local projects being commissioned.
He warned that such a shift would not only affect actors but also impact writers, editors, technicians, production crews, and countless professionals associated with the television and advertising industries.
Faysal also expressed concern about the growing role of AI technology, noting that several creative jobs could become increasingly vulnerable in the future.
The issue has sparked debate across social media, with opinions divided among viewers and industry observers.