The United Producers Association, Actor’s Collective Pakistan (ACT) and Directors Guild Pakistan on Monday joined hands to call for suspension of plans to withdraw the advance tax on imported foreign TV shows and advertisements over fears that reversal of the policy may economically impact the local industry.
The three filmmaking unions representing producers, actors and directors recalled in their joint statement that the advance tax had been introduced in 2013-14 by then finance minister Ishaq Dar “as part of a policy framework to strengthen indigenous media.”
Despite their support of tax reform, the unions demanded that any policy affecting Pakistan’s creative economy “must be preceded by meaningful stakeholder consultation” and called for the formation of a National Creative Economy Policy to address matters impacting the local media industry.
“Reversing a policy that has remained in place for more than a decade should only occur after a comprehensive economic review and consultation,” the statement said.
The media industry is a source of livelihood for thousands of professionals and their families across television, film, digital media, advertising, music, animation, post-production and related sectors, the unions said, respectfully requesting the government to:
