Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry has ordered an embargo on all Indian-made films and advertisements, following India’s air strike in its territory on Tuesday.
Chaudhry announced the boycott on Twitter.
The ban is the latest setback in the always-fragile cultural relations between the two neighbors.
India had already told its filmmakers not to release films in Pakistan and to stop casting Pakistani stars two weeks ago, after a suicide bomber killed 44 Indian security personnel in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Supreme Court earlier ordered that all Indian programs be taken off the airwaves, even though Bollywood productions continue to be a hit in Pakistan.
Pakistan’s cinema licensing authority said it would follow its minister’s latest instructions, but expressed hope for the “normalization” of relations between Delhi and Islamabad.
“We believe art and films are universal languages that transcend borders and bring people closer. We hope we can all play a positive role in reducing tensions, and supporting policies that bring peace and prosperity to the people of the entire region,” said All Pakistan Exhibitors Association Chairman Zoraiz Lashari in a statement.
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