Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on the 26th of April that a film city spanning 50 acres would be constructed in Lahore.
The film city is part of the larger “Nawaz Sharif IT City” project, stretching out across 853 acres, that will transform Punjab in to a “leading global destination for technology, innovation, heritage and culture”.
Big announcement: Punjab to establish a 50 acre , first of its kind #PunjabFilmCity in Lahore bringing the glory of filmmaking back to Lahore and Punjab.
Conceived nearly two years ago and shaped through continuous consultations with filmmakers, producers, and actors, this… pic.twitter.com/E9mwLb0lJh
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 26, 2026
A Hub for the Revival of Pakistani Cinema
Punjab Film City is planned as a sanctuary where the revival of Pakistani Cinema can take place unfettered and unlimited by the lack of facilities and equipment. It would provide opportunities for all kinds of digital media producting including film, TV, and animation under one roof.
The announcement included several details about the world class technical equipment that would be provided for visual effects, cinematography, sound design, etc. and that it would be the country’s first “end-to-end” media production hub.
The project is also meant to reduce the over reliance on international film companies for the purposes of post production. State of the art sound stages and post production labs are part of the blue print.
Other plans include sets, a central lake, a convention hall for international events and award shows, a media trade hub and a film and music school.
A Jobs Creation Project
The film city is also meant to create thousands of jobs for artists, craftsmen, designers, technicians, etc. Due to the dearth of film projects in Pakistan, the average skilled labourer in the field of entertainment doesn’t know when his next paycheck will arrive.
Departments like lighting, sound, visual effects, set design, make up, clothing, and general maintenance and repair are all required during film production. The film city might be a hub for continuous employment for skilled workers.
A Push for Gaming, Animation and Digital Media
Pakistan isn’t known for its gaming and animation products worldwide. Some strides have been made in these areas over the past decade.
In animation, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s Teen Bahadur franchise, ARY Films’ Allahyar films, Talisman Films’ animation hit “The Donkey King”, and Usman Riaz’s critical darling “The Glassworker” have shown that animated films have an audience in Pakistan.
In gaming, there are several software houses in Pakistan that are being used for outsourcing by international game makers.
However, there are no major government institutions pushing for a continuous pipeline of projects. Punjab film city is planned to promote more work in these areas.
Film Grants and Relief Packages
Azma Bokhari, the Information and Culture minister for Punjab has also announced that the project will be allocated PKR 2 billion as seed funding for the revival of Pakistani Cinema. This is part of the PKR 10 billion allocated for “Nawaz Sharif IT City”. The entire project is expected to cost PKR 100 billion.
Along with that, film grants of up to PKR 3 Cr have been issued to 32 filmmakers to partially finance their projects. An extra incentive is the promise of a 25% bonus based on the films’ box office earnings.
Further film grant applications will be invited in the new Fiscal Year 2027, beginning on the June 1st. In addition, 5 special film grants will be awarded to 5 “exceptionally talented young individuals”.
Finally, cinema owners will also be provided with partial relief by shifted their electricity setups to solar systems.
