Despite objections and loud protests from the opposition during a turbulent session of the Punjab Assembly (PA), three bills, including the Film City Authority Bill 2026, were passed by a majority vote.
According to details, the session was chaired by Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan. During the proceedings, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb presented the Punjab Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2026 and the Film City Authority Bill 2026, both of which were approved by a majority vote.
Opposition member Ijaz Shafi alleged that funds were being diverted from the health and education sectors to the Film City Authority.
In response, Marriyum Aurangzeb denied the claim, stating that allocations for health and education had not been reduced but significantly increased. She said the education budget had risen from 30 billion to 130 billion, calling it an unprecedented boost for schools, colleges, and the education sector. She also stated that the development budget for the health department had increased from 15 billion to 100 billion.
During her speech, opposition members protested, stood on their feet, and chanted slogans. Amid the uproar, the government passed the Film City Authority Bill 2026, the Wildlife Protection Bill 2026, and the Environmental Protection Amendment Bill 2026 by a majority vote.
It is worth mentioning here that the Punjab government has earlier announced the development of a state-of-the-art 50-acre Film City in Lahore. The project has been approved by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and will be established within the Nawaz Sharif IT City, according to media reports.
According to official details, the initiative aims to revitalise Pakistan’s film and digital media industry by providing modern production facilities and fostering growth in the creative sector. The Film City is expected to serve as a key hub for film, television, and digital content production in the province.
The Chief Minister stated that the Film City will be the country’s first complete end-to-end media production hub, where all modern facilities for film, television, animation, and digital media will be available under one roof.
Read more: PTI founder named main accused as challan filed in prohibited funding case
