MOTION PICTURES ORDINANCE, 1979

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THE MOTION PICTURES ORDINANCE, 1979 
(XLIII of 1979) 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement 
2. Definition 
CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD 
3. Constitution of Board 
4. Uncertified film not to be exhibited 
5. Certification of films 
6. Principles of guidance in certifying films 
7. Appeals 
8. Powers to suspend exhibition of films in certain cases 
9. Revisional powers of the Government 
10. Information and documents to be given to distributors and exhibitors 
with respect to certified films 
11. Powers to direct exhibition of films for examination 
12. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings 
CHAPTER III 
REGULATION OF EXHIBITION BY MEANS 
OF CINEMATOGRAPH 
13. Licensing of places for exhibition of films 
14. Directions as to screening of documentaries, etc 
CHAPTER IV 
MISCELLANEOUS 
15. Delegation of powers 
16 Certain persons to be public servants 
17. Bar to legal proceedings 
18. Penalties and procedure 
19. Power to make rules 
20. Power to exempt 
21. Repeals and savings 
TEXT 
1
THE MOTION PICTURES ORDINANCE, 1979 
(XLIII of 1979) 
[3rd September, 1979] 
An 
Ordinance 
to provide for the censorship of films and the regulation of exhibition of films by 
means of cinematographs 
 WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the censorship of films and the 
regulation of exhibition of films by means of cinematographs, and for matters 
connected therewith or incidental thereto; 
 AND, WHEREAS  the President is satisfied that circumstances exist wh ich 
render it necessary to take immediate action; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the fifth day of July, 
1977, read with the L aws (Continuance in Force) Order, 1977 (C.M.L.A Order No. 1 
of 1977), and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President is 
pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:– 
CHAPTER I 
PRELIMINARY 
1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Ordinance may be called 
the Motion Pictures Ordinance, 1979. 
(2) It extends to the whole of 
2
[the Punjab]. 
(3) It shall come into force at once. 
2. Definition.– In this Ordinance, unless there is anything repu gnant in the 
subject or context,– 
(a) “Board” means a Board established under section 3; 
(b) “Chairman”, in relation to a Board, means the Chairman of the Board; 
(c) “cinematograph” includes any apparatus for the reproduction of moving 
pictures or series of pictures; 
                                                 
1In pursuance of the  Proclamation of the fifth day of July, 1977, read with the Laws (Continuance in Force) O rder, 1977 
(C.M.L.A. Order No. 1 of 1977), and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President promulgated this 
Ordinance, which was published in the Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary Pt.1, September 3, 1979. 
This Ordinance was originally in the Federal ambit, however, the subject on which this law was enacted devolved to the 
provinces by virtue of 18th Amendment in the Constitution, hence it was adapted, with amendments, for the province of the 
Punjab by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Am endment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014. 
2Substituted for the word “Pakistan” by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.3. 
(d) “film” means cinematographic film or other materials used for 
production by cinematograph; 
3
[(dd) “Government” means Government of the Punjab]; 
4
[(e) “place” includes a house, building, tent and any means of transport] ; 
and 
(f) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Ordinance. 
CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD 
5
[3. Constitution of Board .– (1) The Governm ent may, by notification in the 
official Gazette, constitute a Board to be known as the Punjab Film Censor Board for 
purposes of examining and certifying the films for public exhibition. 
 (2) The Board shall consist of a Chairman, a Vice Chairman and not l ess 
than five but not more than ten members, of whom Secretaries to the Government 
Culture, Law and Home Departments or their nominees not below the rank of 
Additional Secretaries shall be ex-officio members of the Board. 
 (3) The Chairman, Vice Chairman a nd members of the Board, other than 
the ex-officio members, shall hold office during the pleasure of the Government on 
such terms and conditions as the Government may determine.] 
4. Uncertified film not to be exhibited.– (1) No person shall made or arrange a 
public or private exhibition of a film by means of cinematograph unless the film has 
been duly certified for public exhibition by the Board, provided that nothing in this 
sub-section shall be deemed to apply to the exhibition, in the residential premise s of 
any person, of a film  which only records events in the life of such person or any 
member of his family. 
(2) Any person desiring to submit any film for certification for public 
exhibition shall, in the prescribed manner, make an application to the Board for a 
certificate in respect thereof along with its re-recording, print or such equivalent 
material as the Board may determine, including sound tracks of speech, songs, 
music and effect, and the Board may, after examining the film, or having it examined, 
in the prescribed manner:– 
(a) sanction the film for unrestricted public exhibition; or 
(b) sanction the film for such restricted public exhibition as may be 
prescribed; or 
(c) direct the applicant to carry out such exhibitions in the film as the Board 
consider necessary before sanctioning the film for unrestricted or 
restricted public exhibitions; or 
(d) refuse to sanction the film for public exhibition.  
                                                 
3Inserted by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.4. 
4Substituted by the Punjab Motion Pict ures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.4. 
5Substituted by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.5. 
(3) Where the Board directs that any portion of the film be excised, the 
Board shall, subsequent to he rejection of appeal, i f any, or the expiration of thirty 
days from the order, it there is no appeal, destroy or cause to be destroyed all prints 
of sound and picture and original exposed negatives of the excised portions. 
5. Certification of films .– (1) If, after examining a film or having it examined, 
the Board considers that the film is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition or that, 
though not suitable for such exhibition, it is suitable for restricted public exhibition, it 
shall grant to the pers on applying for certification of the film a certificate of the 
appropriate category, and shall in all cases caused the film to be marked in the 
prescribed manner. 
(2) An order refusing to grant a certificate, or an order suspending a 
certificate, or an ord er decertifying a certified film shall be published in the official 
Gazette. 
(3) Subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance a certificate granted 
under this section shall be valid for such area and period as the Board may, by 
notification in the official Gazette specify in this behalf. 
6. Principles of guidance in certifying films .– (1) A film shall not be certified 
for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the Board, the  film or any part thereof is 
prejudicial to the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any 
part thereof, friendly  relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality 
or amounts to he commission of, or incitement to, an offence. 
(2) Subject to the provision of sub -section (1), f or the guidanc e of the 
Board in the exercise of its powers under this Ordinance, the 
6
[Government] may 
issue a Censorship Code and such directions as it may think fit. 
7. Appeals.– Any person applying for a certificate in respect of a film who is 
aggrieved by any order of the Board,– 
(a) refusing to grant a certificate ; or 
(b) granting only a restricted certificate ; or 
(c) directing the applicant to carry out any excisions; 
may, within thirty days of the date of such order, prefer an appeal to the 
7
[Government] and the appeal shall be disposed of in the prescribed manner and the 
order of the 
8
[Government] shall be final: 
 Provided that before passing an order under this section an opportunity shall 
be provided to the appellant of being heard. 
8. Powers to suspend exhibition of films in certain cases.– (1) A Board may, 
if it has reason to believe that a film in respect of which a certificate has been 
granted by it under sec. 5 has been or is being exhibited in contravention of any of 
                                                 
6Substituted for the word “Federal Government”  by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
7Substituted by the Act ibid 
8Substituted by the Act ibid 
the conditions subject to which it has  been certified, by order suspend the exhibition 
of the film for such period as may be specified in the order. 
(2) The 
9
[District Coordination Officer ], in respect of the whole or any part 
of the district, may, if he is of the opinion that any film which i s being publicly 
exhibited is likely to cause a beach of the peace, by order suspend the exhibition of 
the film for such period not exceeding one month as may be specified in the order. 
(3) While an order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) is in forc e in 
respect of a film, such film shall be deemed to be an uncertified film in respect of the 
area specified in the order. 
(4) For the purpose of inspecting the exhibition of films and the proper 
enforcement of the provisions of this Ordinance relating to such exhibition, the Board 
may, by order in writing as authorize such persons as it may deem it for such area 
may be specified in the order. 
(5) Where a film in respect of which no certificate has been granted under 
this Ordinance is exhibited, or a film c ertified as suitable for restricted public 
exhib9tion is exhibited otherwise than as certified, or a film is exhibited in 
contravention of any of the other provisions of this ordinance, any police officer not 
below the rank of Inspector may, upon a report in writing made by the Board or by a 
person authorized by it in  this behalf , or under the orders of the 
10
[District 
Coordination Officer ], enter any place licensed for the exhibition of films in which 
there is reason to believe that the film  has been or is being exhibited, search it and 
seize the film and projection equipment. 
11
[(5-a) Where the police officer mentioned in sub-section (5) is not available at 
the spot and there are sufficient reasons to believe that the film is being exhibited in 
contravention of any provision of the Ordinance, an officer  authorized by the Board, 
may take into possession cinematograph and other exhibiting material and 
immediately submit a report to the Board]. 
(6) A copy o fan order under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), together 
with a statement of the reasons thereof shall forthwith be forwarded to the 
12
[Government] and the 
13
[Government] may either discharge the order or, by 
notification in the official Gazette, direct that the film shall be deemed to be an 
uncertified film in respect of such area as may be specified in the notification. 
9. Revisional powers of the 
14
[Government].– (1) Notwithstanding anything 
contained in this Ordinance, the 
15
[Government] may at any stage call for the record 
                                                 
9The w ords “District Magistrate” earlier substituted by Motion Picture s (Amendment) Ord inance, 2002  (CVIII of 2002) ; and 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 31.10.2002, pages 1713 -1714, s.2,  with words Zila Nazim , which 
now substituted  by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
10The words “District Magistrate” earlier substitu ted by Motion Pictures (Amendment) Ordinance, 2002  (CVIII of 2002) ; and 
published in the Gazette of Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated 31.10.2002, pages 1713 -1714, s.2,  with words Zila Nazim, which 
now substituted  by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) A ct 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
11Inserted by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.6. 
12Substituted for the words “Federal Government”  by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
13Substituted ibid. 
14Substituted ibid. 
of any proceedings in relation t o an y film which is pending before or has  been 
decided by the board and, after such inquiry into the matter as it considers 
necessary, and without notice  to the person who has applied for certification of the 
film or to whom a certificate in respect of  the  film has been granted or to the 
distributor or exhibitor of such film, make such order in relation thereto as it thinks fit. 
(2) Without prejudice to the powers con ferred on it by sub -section (1), the 
16
[Government] may, by notification the official Gazette, direct that– 
(a) a film or class of films in respect of which a certificate has been granted 
under this Ordinance or under the Censorship of Films Act, 1963 (XVIII 
of 1963), shall be deemed to be an uncertified film or class of films in 
the 
17
[whole or any part of the Punjab]: 
Provided that not such order shall be made by the 
18
[Government] 
unless it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in the interest of the 
glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any 
part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency 
morality, or to prevent the commission of, or incitement to, an offence; 
or 
(b) a film which has been sanctioned for unrestricted public exhibition 
under Section 5 or to which a “U” certificate has b een granted under 
the Censorship of Films Act, 1963
19
 shall be deemed to be a film in 
respect of which a restricted certificate has been granted. 
10. Information and documents to be given to distributors and exhibitors 
with respect to certified films.– Any person who delivers any certified film to any 
distributor or exhibitor, shall in such manner as may be prescribed, notify to the 
distributor or exhibitor, as the case may be, the title a nd length of the film, the 
number and nature of the certificate grante d in respect thereof and the conditions, if 
any, subject to which it has been granted and such other particulars as may be 
prescribed. 
11. Powers to direct exhibition of films for examination .– For the purpose of 
exercising any of the powers conferred on i t by this Ordinance the 
20
[Government] or 
the Board may require any film to be exhibited before it or before any person 
specified by it in this behalf. 
12. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings .– No act or proceeding of 
the Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason only of the existence of a vacancy 
in, or defect in the constitution of the Board. 
                                                                                                                                                        
15Substituted ibid 
16Substituted ibid 
17Substituted for the words “whole or any part of Pakistan” by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013); 
and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.7. 
18Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013); and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
19XVIII of 1963 
20Substituted ibid., for the words “Provincial Government” 
CHAPTER III 
REGULATION OF EXHIBITION BY MEANS 
OF CINEMATOGRAPH 
13. Licensing of places for exhibition of films .– (1) Save as otherwise 
provided in this  chapter, no person shall give a public exhibition by means of 
cinematograph elsewhere than in a place licensed under this Ordinance or otherwise 
than in compliance with any conditions and restriction imposed by such license. 
(2) The authority having power  to grant a license under this Ordinance, 
hereinafter referred to as the licensing authority, shall be the 
21
[Government]: 
 Provided that the 
22
[Government] may, by noti fication in the official Gazette, 
specify for the whole or any part of the Province such other authority as it may 
specify in the notification to be the licensing authority for the purposes of this 
Chapter. 
(3) The licensing authority shall not grant a license under this Chapter in 
respect of any place unless it is satisfied that– 
(a) the rules made under this Chapter have been complied with; and  
(b) adequate precautions have been taken in respect of the place for 
which the license is to be given to provide for the safety and health of 
persons attending exhibition therein. 
(4) Subject to the foregoing  provisions of this section, the licensing 
authority may grant a license under this Chapter to such applicant as it deems fit and 
no such terms and conditions and subject to such restrictions as it may determine
23
[, 
including the maximum charges for the adm ission of persons to the exhibition of a 
film in a place in respect of which such license is granted].  
(5) Where the authority specified by the 
24
[Government] under the proviso 
to sub-section (2) to be the licensing authority consists of more person s then one, no 
decision of the licensing authority shall be invalid by reasons only of the existence of 
a vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of, the said authority. 
14. Directions as to screening of documentaries, etc .– The 
25
[Government] 
may, from time to time, issue to any person to whom a license has been granted 
under the Chapter any directions for the purpose of regulating the exhibition of any 
film or class of films so that scientific films, films intended for educational or cultural 
purposes, films dealing with news or current events, documentary films and 
indigenous films secure an adequate opportunity of being exhibited, and such  
directions shall be deemed to be additional conditions and restrictions subject to 
which the license has been granted. 
                                                 
21Substituted ibid. 
22Substituted ibid. 
23Added by the Motion Pictures (Amendment Ordinance ) 1982 ( VII of 1982 ); and published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated 20.4.1982, pages 41-42, s.2. 
24Substituted for the words “Prov incial Government” by the Punjab Motion Pictures ( Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
25Substituted ibid., s.8, for the words “Federal Government or the Provincial Government”. 
CHAPTER IV 
MISCELLANEOUS 
15. Delegation of powers.– The 
26
[Government] may, by notification in the official 
Gazette, delegate all or any of the power exercisable by it under this Ordinance to 
such authority or person as may be specified in the notification. 
16. Certain persons to be public servants .– The Chairman, 
27
[Vice Chairman], 
members and employees of a Board and person empowered under sub -section (4) 
of section 8 shall, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the 
provisions of this Ordinan ce, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of 
Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code
28
. 
17. Bar to legal proceedings .– (1) No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie 
against the 
29
[Government], a Board or any officer or member thereof, as the cas e 
may be, in respect of anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done 
under this Ordinance. 
(2) No court shall grant an injunction or make any interim order in respect 
of any order passed under section 8 or section 9. 
18. Penalties and procedure.– (1) Whoever– 
(a) exhibits or causes or permits to be exhibited in any place or abets the 
exhibition of, any film which has not been certified by the Board or 
which, when exhibited, does not display the prescribed mark or has 
been altered or tampered with since such mark was affixed thereto ; or  
(b) without lawful authority, alters or tampers with , in any way, any film 
after it has been certified ; or 
(c) fails to comply with the provisions of section 5 or of any order made 
under this Ordinance; 
shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term  which may extend to three 
years, or with fine which may extend to one lac rupees, or with both, and, in the case 
of a continuing offence, with a further fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees 
for each day during which the offence continues. 
(2) If the owner or person incharge of a cinematograph on any place uses 
it or allows it to be used in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or the 
rules made there under, or of the conditions and restrictions upon or subject to which 
any license has been granted under this Ordinance, he shall be punishable with 
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may 
extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both, and , in the case of a continuing 
offence, with a further fine which may extend to two thousand rupees for each day 
during which the offence continues. 
                                                 
26Substituted for the words “Federal Government” by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X  of 2013) ; and 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.2. 
27Inserted by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amen dment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.9. 
28Act XLV of 1860. 
29Substituted for the words “Federal Government, a Provincial Government”  by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act  
2012 (X of 2013); and published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.10. 
(3) If any person is convicted of any offence punishable under sub -section 
(1) or sub-section (2) committed by him in respect of any film, the Court may further 
direct that the film and the cinematograph used for its exhibitions may be forfeited to 
the Board. 
30
[(3-A) Whoever charges for the admission of any person to the exhibition of a 
film in a place licensed under this ordinance any amount in excess of the maximum 
charges fixed under sub -section (4) of Section 13, or sells to any person a ticket f or 
such admission at a cost higher than the maximum charges so fixed shall be 
punished with punishment provided for in sub-section (2)]. 
(4) Where the person convicted of an offence under this section is the hold 
of a license granted under section 13, the licensing authority may revoke the license. 
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 
1898 (V of 1898), no Court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under this 
section except upon a complaint in writing made by the Board or the licensing 
authority or persons authorized by any of them.  
19. Power to make rules .– (1) The 
31
[Government] may, by notificati on in the 
official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Ordinance.  
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
powers, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:– 
(a) the manner in which the Board may exercise its powers including the 
establishment of centers at different places and the delegation of any 
of the powers of the Board to any member nominated by the 
32
[Government] in that behalf;  
(b) the procedure of the Board and all matters ancillary thereto, and the 
fees to be charged by it;  
(c) the conditions subject to which any certificate may be granted under 
Chapter II and the circumstances in which such certificate shall be 
refused;  
(d) the manner in which appeals under s ection 7 may be preferred, heard, 
and disposed of;  
(e) the terms, conditions and restrictions, if any, under which licenses may 
be granted under Chapter 11; and  
(f) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed. 
20. Power to exempt .– The 
33
[Government] may, by order in writing, exempt, 
subject to such conditions and restrictions as it may impose, any film or class of films 
or cinematograph exhibition or class of cinematograph exhibitions from all or any of 
the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules made thereunder. 
                                                 
30Sub-sec. (3-A) ins, by the Motion Pictures (Amendment) Ordinance VII of 1982 ; and published in the Gazette of Pakistan 
(Extraordinary), dated 20.4.1982, pages 41-42, s.2. 
31Substituted by the Punjab Motion Pictures (Amendment) Act 2012 (X of 2013) ; and published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated 5.1.2013, pages 2013-2014, s.10. 
32Substituted ibid., s.2, for the words “Federal Government” 
33Substituted ibid. 
21. Repeals and savings .– (1) The Cinematograph Act, 1918 (II of 1918), and 
the Censorship of Films Act, 1963 (XVIII of 1963), are hereby repealed. 
(2) Notwithstanding the repeal of any Act by sub -section (1), and without 
prejudice to t he provisions of section 24 of the Genera Clauses Act, 1897 (X of 
1897), everything done, order passed, action taken or obligation, liability, penalty or 
punishment incurred under any of the provisions of the said Act, shall, if not 
inconsistent with the p rovisions of this Ordinance, continue in force and be deemed 
to have been done, passed, taken or incurred under the provisions of this Ordinance.