Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed the need to bring originality in film content, reported 24News HD TV channel on Saturday. 

He was addressing the National Amateur Short Film Festival held at Pak-China Friendship Centre. The PM paid tribute to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) for the initiative of the film festival, saying this was a new beginning. He also lauded the information ministry for its efforts regarding the betterment of the film industry in the country.

The PM was of the view that in the beginning, we had taken the wrong path. The path to follow the Indian film industry. “We were so much influenced by the Indian film industry that we started copying them instead of taking our own way.” In the 1950s and 1960s people would go to Kabul to watch Indian movies, he told.  

He said our TV was so good till the 1970s that Indians would like to watch it instead of their own TV. 

He said he wanted to tell the youngsters that copy did not have any value rather only original things have value. He said, “Before going on the course of victory, one needs to change his mind.” 

People in the West would like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan because of his originality, the PM added.

“I want our film industry to bring originality. I requested Tayyip Erdogan and brought Ertugrul TV series here because it has an alternative culture,” he said, adding that Pakistan had a lot of talent in all fields.

He said the government was paying attention to religious and historical tourism. He said that mountain tourism in Pakistan was the best. The PM went on, saying we have 12 climatic zones in Pakistan and we can produce everything. He said this was a great opportunity for the young filmmakers. 

The PM said, “I do not understand the word “soft image”. The soft image is nothing. It is a kind of inferiority complex. The soft image comes from self-belief then others respect you.” He advised the youngsters not to be apologetic and believe in themselves.  

He said the Pakistani nation was the most generous nation in the world. “I can tell you my own experience as I have been collecting funds for Shaukat Khanum Hospital. 

Earlier, the PM distributed awards to the winner of short film and mobile film categories. 

On the occasion, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the time has come to improve the country’s image on the world stage.

The DG ISPR said that Allah Almighty has blessed Pakistan with everything but Pakistan has been facing the war on terror for two decades which had done a lot of damage to Pakistan’s international image. He said the war on terror has almost been won. DG ISPR said now was the time to improve our image globally. Pakistan is a country where 60% of the population is youth. Young people will make short films at the National Amateur Short Film Festival, he added.

He said that National Amateur Short Film Festival is a platform where youngsters have made short films to bring out the best identity of Pakistan. We formed the best team for this festival in November 2020.

He thanked Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry for sponsoring the event.