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An online petition requests PM Imran Khan to lift ban on Manto

An online petition requests PM Imran Khan to lift ban on Manto

The petition protests the ban and terms it an attack on freedom of expression
Updated 17 Dec, 2018

An online petition has been initiated to demand Prime Minister Imran Khan to lift ban on screening of film Manto on the life of the legendary Urdu writer.

The open letter in the petition says: “Manto, a critically acclaimed film, directed by Nandita Das, celebrates the life of the Urdu writer who chose Pakistan as his home during the Partition but is collectively owned and revered by the people of the sub-continent.

“The audiences and critics worldwide have appreciated the film. However, it is a matter of huge concern that Pakistan has recently decided to ban the film. The disappointing decision to ban the film has created a hue and cry among writers, poets and intellectuals in the literary circles of Pakistan”.

It protests the ban and terms it an attack on freedom of expression. The letter appeals to the PM to order the authorities to lift the ban.

The petition initiated by journalist Saeed Ahmed has been signed by prominent personalities, including Manto’s daughters Nighat, Nusrat and Nuzhat, rights activists I.A. Rehman and Hussain Naqi, Salima Hashmi, Mirza Hamid Baig and Saleem Asmi.


Originally published in Dawn, December 16th, 2018

Comments

bhaRAT© Dec 17, 2018 12:32am
Is India going to remove ban, on our films, celebrities and sportsmen, first?
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Zx Dec 17, 2018 01:05am
Don't waste PMs time. This has nothing to do with Freedom of Speech! This is just a movie with investments and profit returns to the producers. As far the msg getting to the ppl, don't worry folks who are interested can download. Should reach out to the relevant authorities.
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Imran Dec 17, 2018 01:29am
It is best price of art on manto so far .
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yaqub Dec 17, 2018 01:33am
no .definitely not.the Indian don't allow Pakistani film or dramas.so we cannot allow indian
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mohsin Dec 17, 2018 01:43am
Differences and point scoring aside, I personally think the film should be screened here.
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Chinpaksaddique Dec 17, 2018 02:03am
Nandita is a good person. We should lift the ban. PMIK is gracefully lift the ban
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Art KP Dec 17, 2018 02:36am
Ban all these Bollywood circus shows.
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haris Dec 17, 2018 03:01am
Wont happen, has Pakistani movies been released in India?
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Ghomar Dec 17, 2018 03:41am
Pak should lift the ban on Montu
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Gordon D. Walker Dec 17, 2018 03:57am
Their must be good reasons why this film is banned in Pakistan? Does anyone know? Please advise. Gordon D. Walker Canada
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RationalBabu Dec 17, 2018 04:11am
@Art KP : Please do not comment if you don’t understand the subject.
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Jag Dec 17, 2018 04:33am
If all Bollywood movies were banned, then that is OK. But singling out this movie, which has already been approved by his family, shows that Pakistan continues to hide the truth and force the pakistan audiences to stick to their twisted narrative of hate.
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Must learn Dec 17, 2018 05:23am
Every nation has its own moral & historical values. PM IK just refer the petition to censor board.
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Junaid Ali Dec 17, 2018 05:25am
This petition will not change PM Imran khan decision
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PK Dec 17, 2018 05:35am
The movie is about empowering Pakistan writers and you guys wanna ban it. What is this joke going on in Pakistan.
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Sohrab Dec 17, 2018 05:48am
@Art KP you are right. You all are so shieded from art, culture and truth in history and in that yours is but a natural reaction. Rejoice as you are not the only one. Be proud to be counted as a patriotic Pakistani. I can only feel sorry for the likes of you.
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Habib A Zuberi Dec 17, 2018 06:39am
I hope the PM will lift the ban on this film based on the stories written by a Pakistani author. Sadat Hasan s indeed a great writer.
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Zeeshan Dec 17, 2018 06:42am
Ban all indian movies. India does not want anything to do with us and we should not want anything to do with India.
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Habib A Zuberi Dec 17, 2018 08:07am
The ban should be lifted.
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Ahsan Dec 17, 2018 09:18am
@Art KP Don't watch it then. Don't police other people.
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Khurram Khan Dec 17, 2018 09:26am
Watched the pirated copy of Manto as I can't wait more to censor board of Pak to lift ban on this master peace. Censorship on such movies only promote piracy!
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Amer mahmood Dec 17, 2018 10:36am
Why was it banned in Pakistan? It should never have been banned. It should be lifted. Let people see both versions. We have the right to choice...
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Asim Dec 17, 2018 07:04pm
Oh the people from other side of the border asking for the ban to be removed should look at their own govt. policies first and have that removed before requesting others.
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Art kp Dec 17, 2018 08:31pm
@Sohrab don’t feel sorry for me! Feel sorry for yourself by being left to watch clowns running around. You can’t contribute anything good to society wether you watch the movie or not!
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Shaan Dec 19, 2018 03:01pm
@bhaRAT© Pakistani movies do release in india eg. bo , bin roye. If there are no audience to watch it and ut makes losses in India, then thats not India’s problem. But Pakistanis movies are not banned in India.
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