Punjab to decide fate of Barbie today
Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has directed the Punjab Film Censor Board to take a decision about the exhibition of Hollywood film Barbie in the province on Tuesday (today).
“All censor board members [should] conduct a thorough review of the movie — Barbie — on Tuesday after which a decision will be made regarding its permission for screening in Punjab,” the government said on Monday.
The Naqvi administration had banned Barbie though the Punjab Film Censor Board had issued a no objection certificate. The movie’s debut began in parts of Asia, including Pakistan, on July 21. However, it was halted in theatres across Punjab for containing ‘objectionable content’.
According to provincial Information Secretary Ali Nawaz Malik, the Punjab Film Censor Board had given the certificate to screen the movie but the government had stopped it on public complaints. However, the film is being screened in other provinces.
Originally published in Dawn, August 1st, 2023
