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In the face of austerity measures calling for shopping malls — and the cinemas they house — to close early, actor Fahad Mustafa has requested the government of Punjab to ease restrictions on theatres to give people time to watch films.

In an open letter to the province’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, the actor contended that many moviegoers are busy with other things earlier in the day, so some audiences were “only able to attend screenings later in the evenings”.

Mustafa said that since many cinemas in the province were located inside malls — which close at 8pm under austerity measures taken in view of a global fuel crisis triggered by the Iran-US/Israel war — they were also operating on shortened schedules. “The early closure is affecting recently released films that are relying on this period to reach audiences,” he said.

The actor said a “modest” extension in operating hours would “increase ticket sales”, “support employment across the exhibition and hospitality sectors” and “provide greater access and convenience for audiences”.

Mustafa appreciated the Punjab government for its “support for the film industry,” including initiatives like CM Maryam Nawaz’s Film City plan for Lahore. He requested the government to support the creative sector once more with a “small relaxation” in cinema timings, something that would be “appreciated by filmmakers, exhibitors and cinemagoers alike”.

The actor’s film Zombeid premiered on Eidul Azha and is playing in theatres nationwide. The film was one of three Pakistani movies released over Eid last week, competing for screen space limited by the restrictions in timings — which were relaxed temporarily for the holiday.

Any easing of these restrictions would allow these films more space to reach audiences.