Online posts have fanned accusations that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, issued orders banning Pashto cinema shortly after assuming office.
The allegation is false. No such decision has been made as of yet.
On March 7, a Facebook user claimed that Ali Amin Gandapur had banned Pashto films in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to prevent terrorism and immorality. So far, the post has received more than 4,000 likes and 159 shares.
Similar allegations were made here, here, and here.
Fact
Pashto cinema is still allowed to be screened in the province, according to officials, cinema owners, and producers.
Muhammad Ali Saif, the chief minister’s communication advisor, confirmed to Fact Check over the phone that no such notification has been sent to date. Ikram Khatana, the social media leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also denied the internet reports.
Separately, Fact Check contacted two Peshawar movie owners: Arshad Khan of Arshad movie and Salhe Muhammad of Sabrina Cinema. Both stated that they had not received any information about a ban on Pashto movies.
Muzafar Khan, a Peshawar-based producer, confirmed the same. “I also saw such claims,” added Khan. “So I went to the cinema this morning and found out that there is no [ban].”
