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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken on the task of reviving Lahore’s film industry with the establishment of a dedicated “film city” in Lahore. The province’s information and culture minister said Rs2 billion has been allocated for the revival of the sector.

In a post on X on Sunday, the chief minister said the 50-acre space aims to bring “the glory of filmmaking back to Lahore and Punjab”.

Maryam said the project had been conceived almost two years ago and involved “continuous consultations with filmmakers, producers and actors.

Listing the facilities being built as part of the complex, she said it would have “world-class studios and sound stages” with “advanced VFX and post-production labs”. A purpose-built convention hall is planned to host events and an integrated trade hub will be built to facilitate business.

A film and music school will be established on-site to train new artists and musicians, along with a number of backlots and a central lake for filmmakers to use as sets. The facility will also have dedicated emergency response infrastructure.

The chief minister said the Punjab Film City will reduce reliance on foreign production services, and in doing so, it will “empower local talent, create thousands of jobs and position Pakistan as a global hub for creative excellence”.

She said her vision was to “transform Punjab into a global destination for technology, innovation, heritage and culture” and called the project “a gift to our youth and artists”.

Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari also shed light on the government’s initiatives to revive Punjab’s waning film industry on Sunday, detailing plans to disburse funds for film production.

She said 32 individuals had been selected to receive Rs30 million each for their projects, with half the amount released at script submission and the other half at their film’s completion. The filmmakers will be given a year for these projects.

Applications for a second batch of filmmakers will open in June and special funds have been set aside for five exceptionally talented young individuals.

Another project being undertaken by the government is the transition of cinemas to solar energy in an effort to reduce their operating costs and provide relief to cinema owners.

Bokhari emphasised these initiatives aim to promote creativity in Punjab and enable the local film industry to compete at the international level.