STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : Pakistan’s leading creative industry organisations have voiced strong reservations over the federal government’s proposal to withdraw advance tax on imported foreign television plays and advertisements under the Finance Bill 2026-27, warning that the move could adversely affect the country’s creative economy and local content industry.
In a joint statement, the United Producers Association (UPA), ACT – The Actor’s Collective Pakistan, and Directors Guild Pakistan (DGP) said they support tax reforms aimed at economic growth but stressed that any policy change impacting Pakistan’s creative sector must be preceded by meaningful consultation with stakeholders.
The organisations noted that the advance tax on imported foreign television plays and advertisements was introduced through the Finance Bill 2013-14 by then Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar as part of a broader policy framework designed to strengthen indigenous media production and encourage investment in local content.
They argued that reversing a policy that has remained effective for more than a decade should only be considered after a comprehensive economic review and extensive consultations with industry representatives.
According to the statement, Pakistan’s creative economy provides livelihoods to thousands of professionals and supports numerous families through sectors including television, film, digital media, advertising, music, animation, post-production, and other related industries. The organisations further pointed out that both federal and provincial governments have launched initiatives, including the Punjab Film City Project, to promote local production and strengthen the creative sector.
The three organisations urged the government to immediately suspend implementation of the proposed measure until consultations are held, convene an urgent meeting with all relevant stakeholders, publish a detailed Economic Impact Assessment, and formulate a comprehensive National Creative Economy Policy.
They also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and members of Parliament to carefully consider the concerns of the creative industry before finalising the proposal.
The organisations reiterated their commitment to constructive engagement with policymakers and expressed hope that future decisions affecting the country’s media and creative sectors would be taken through an inclusive and transparent consultative process that safeguards local talent, investment, and employment opportunities.
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