THE PUNJAB FILM CITY AUTHORITY ACT 2026 (XXVIII of 2026) CONTENTS 1. Short title, extent and commencement 2. Definitions 3. Establishment of the Authority 4. Qualification and experience of professionals and expert Members of the Authority 5. Functions of the Authority 6. Chief Executive Officer 7. Film city and media 8. Recovery of loss 9. Delegation of powers 10. Committees 11. Purchase, lease or exchange of property 12. Joint venture, outsourcing and procurement 13. Employees, advisors, consultants and experts 14. Increments, incentives and bonuses 15. Punjab Film City Authority Fund 16. Punjab Film Fund 17. Rates and fees 18. Maintenance of funds 19. Bank accounts 20. Maintenance of accounts 21. Budget 22. Audit 23. Annual report 24. Recovery of dues 25. Public servants 2 26. Indemnity 27. Jurisdiction of courts barred 28. Power to make rules 29. Power to frame regulations 30. Overriding effect 3 TEXT 1 THE PUNJAB FILM CITY AUTHORITY ACT 2026 (XXVIII of 2026) [11 May 2026] An Act to provide for establishment of the Punjab Film City Authority for promotion, development, regulation and facilitation of the cinema and motion picture industry in the Punjab. It is necessary to provide for establishment of the Punjab Film City Authority for promotion, development, regulation and facilitation of the cinema and motion picture industry in the Punjab, including film, animation, visual effect, virtual production and allied creative fields, in order to encourage local and international productions , strengthen cultural identity, promote technological innovation, attract investment, generate employment, and ensure sustainable and eco -friendly film -making practices, and for the matters connected therewith and ancillary thereto. It is hereby enacted by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as follows: 1. Short title, extent and commencement .– (1) This Act may be cited as the Punjab Film City Authority Act 2026. (2) It extends to whole of the Punjab. (3) It shall come into force at once. 2. Definitions.– In the Act: (a) “Act” means the Punjab Film City Authority Act 2026; (b) “Authority” means the Punjab Film City Authority established under section 3 of the Act; (c) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Authority; (d) “Chief Executive Officer ” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority; (e) “emergent nature ” means a situation requiring immediate action to prevent loss of life, damage to property, interruption of essential services, or serious public inconvenience and includes unforeseen events where delay would be prejudicial t o the public interest or the functioning of the Authority; (f) “film” includes a motion picture, whether narrative, documentary, animated or live action, produced for public or private exhibition by any medium or technology; (g) “Film city” means the Film city as provided in sub-section (1) of section 7 of the Act; (h) “Government” means Government of the Punjab; 1This Act was passed by Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on 29 April 2026; and was assented to by Governor of the Punjab on 11 May 2026; and was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 11 May 2026, pp. 5911-5920. 4 (i) “media” means any platform or means of communication, whether print, electronic, digital, or audio -visual used for creation, production, broadcasting, distribution, exhibition, or dissemination of content to the public or a private audience and includes film, television, radio, digital and online platform, streaming service, social media, and such other forms as provided under sub-section (2) of section 7 of the Act; (j) “Member” means a Member of the Authority; (k) “prescribed” means prescribed by the rules or the regulations; (l) “public-private partnership ” means a long -term contractual collaboration between a public and private sector entity for the provision of infrast ructure or services, involving risk sharing and performance based remuneration; (m) “Punjab Film City Authority Fund” means the Punjab Film City Authority Fund established under section 15 of the Act; (n) “Punjab Film Fund ” means the Punjab Film Fund established u nder section 16 of the Act; (o) “regulations” means the regulations framed under the Act; and (p) “rules” means the rules made under the Act. 3. Establishment of the Authority .– (1) The Government shall, by notification in the official Gazette, establish the Punjab Film City Authority. (2) The Authority shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal, having power to acquire, hold and, subject to sub -section (2) of section 11, dispose of property and may sue and be sued. (3) The Authority shall consist of: (a) Chief Minister or a Minister nominated by the Chief Minister. Chairperson (b) Chairman, Planning and Development Board , or his nominee not below the rank of Member, Planning and Development Board. Vice- Chairperson (c) three Members of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, including at least one female member, to be nominated by the Chief Minister. Members (d) Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, or his nominee not below the rank of an Additional Secretary. Member (e) Secretary to the Government, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Depa rtment, or his nominee not below the rank of an Additional Secretary. Member (f) Secretary to the Government, Information and Culture Department, or his nominee not below the rank of an Additional Secretary. Member (g) Secretary to the Government, Implementation and Coordination Wing of Services and General Administration Depa rtment, or his nominee not Member 5 below the rank of an Additional Secretary. (h) two film professionals. Members (i) three experts, each from the field of law, finance and academia. Members (j) Chief Executive Officer. Member/ Secretary (4) The Chairperson, if nominated by the Chief Minister, shall hold office during the pleasure of the Chief Minister. (5) The meetings of the Authority shall be presided over by the Chairperson and conducted in such manner as may be prescribed by the regulations. (6) In the absence of Chairperson, meeting of the Authority shall be presided over by a person nominated by the Chairperson and in case of no nomination, by the Vice -Chairperson and where neither the Chairperson, nor his nominee, nor the Vice-Chairperson is present, the meeting shall be presided over by a Member so elected by the Members present. (7) The Members at clauses ( h) and ( i) of sub -section ( 3), shall be nominated by the Chief Minister for a term of three years and they shall hold office during the pleasure of the Chief Minister. (8) A Member at clause ( h) or ( i) of sub -section (3) may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Chief Minister, resign from membership of the Authority. (9) A Member at clause ( h) or ( i) of sub -section (3) shall, notwithstanding the expiry of his term, continue to hold office until his successor is nominated or for a maximum period of three months, whichever is earlier, and shall be eligible for re - appointment for not more than two consecutive terms. (10) The Authority shall meet at least once in every quarter of a financial year at such time and place as may be determined by the Chairperson or in his absence by the Vice Chairperson. (11) One-half of the total membership of the Authority shall constitute quorum for a meeting of the Authority. (12) All decisions of the Authority shall be taken by a majority of the Members present and voting, and in the event of an equality of votes, the person presiding over the meeting shall have a casting vote. (13) The Chairperson may co -opt any person to attend a meeting of the Authority for assistance of the Authority on any matter under consideration, however, the person so co-opted shall have no right to vote. (14) No act or proceeding of the Authority shall be invalid merely on the ground of the existence of any vacancy in membership of the Authority. 4. Qualification and experience of professionals and expert Members of the Authority.– The qualification and experience for Members at clauses ( h) and (i) of sub-section (3) of section 3 shall be as under: (a) the film professionals shall be the persons professionally engaged in the film, television, digital media, or allied creative industries, including producers, directors, actors, writers, technicians and other creative or technical experts; 6 (b) an expert from the field of law shall be a person with a degree in the field of law, enrolled as an Advocate High Court or Supreme Court of Pakistan, with not less than ten years ’ professional experience in constitutional, administrative, commercial, contractual, intellectual property, film, media or other regulatory laws; (c) an expert from the field of finance shall be a person with not less than ten years ’ professional experience in finance, accounting, auditing, investment, project finance or public sector financial management, and has served in a senior financial or advisory role in a public or private organization; and (d) an expert from the field of academia shall be a person with postgraduate degree in film, media, art, design or related discipline, with not less than ten years ’ experience in teaching, research or academic administration in a recognized academic institution. 5. Functions of the Authority .– (1) The Authority shall perform such functions, take such measures and exercise such powers as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provision of sub -section (1), the Authority may: (a) develop, promote, finance and regulate still and motion picture industry in the Punjab; (b) encourage local cinematic production and establish out -door sets and studios; (c) facilitate national and international collaborations for production facilities; (d) preserve archive films and cinematic heritage; (e) encourage and facilitate co -productions, including foreign collaborations; (f) organize festivals, trainings and workshops and arrange guide tours; (g) provide technical and infrastructure support , including studios and editing labs; (h) plan, dev elop, operate and maintain the Film city and allied infrastructure and provide resources for film productions; (i) support training, studio use and activity behind-the-scenes; (j) regulate or facilitate virtual and immersive productions; (k) approve projects and budgets; (l) advise the Government on policies related to film industry; (m) approve, levy, impose and recover fees, rates, rents, charges, fines and penalties; (n) lease or grant licen ces or concessions in respect of any property vested in it; (o) raise funds through investme nts, leasing of assets or any other means in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules; 7 (p) enter into and perform contracts with local and international organizations, companies, entities, corporate bodies, including but not limited to joint venture, as m ay be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act; (q) award contracts for projects to be undertaken through public financing or public private partnership or its own revenue; (r) enter into partnerships with national and international development agencies, organizations or companies through joint ventures; (s) undertake any work and incur any expenditure within the Film city; (t) procure machinery, instruments or any material and technology required for carrying out the purposes of the Act; (u) levy, collect or cause to be collected fee on use of any infrastructure or such other facilities within the area and grant concessions in respect thereof; (v) establish different committees, agencies, directorates, sectors and wings and delegate its powers to such committees, agencie s, directorates, sectors and wings as are necessary for the performance of its functions under the Act; (w) disseminate information and create awareness about the Authority and Film city; (x) collaborate with the Federal Government, other Provincial Governments an d local government or any other public or private sector agency or person for carrying out the purposes of the Act; (y) organize road shows or seminars to attract national and international investors, consultants and contractors for Film city infrastructure, development and planning of cinematography and other allied matters; (z) support training and workshops for existing human resource at local, national and international level for capacity building; (aa) formulate, implement and periodically review policies, plans a nd strategies for the development, revival, modernization and expansion of cinema exhibition infrastructure; (bb) promote establishment of new cinemas, multiplexes, art -house cinemas, community cinemas, mobile or open -air cinemas and alternative exhibition formats, particularly in areas where access to cinema is limited; (cc) facilitate rehabilitation, refurbishment and technological upgradation of existing cinema halls including conversion of obsolete or closed cinemas into modern exhibition facilities; (dd) encourage private sector investment , joint ventures, and public private partnerships for cinema development, operation and management, in accordance with applicable laws; (ee) facilitate availability of lands, buildings, utilities, and municipal services for cinema pro jects through coordination with relevant Government or local government agencies; 8 (ff) promote adoption of modern cinema technologies including digital projection, sound systems, immersive and innovative exhibition formats, and audience accessibility solutions; (gg) support single screen cinemas and small exhibitors through targeted facilitation, incentives or assistance mechanisms as may be prescribed by the regulations; (hh) promote equitable geographic distribution of cinemas including in secondary cities, peri-urban, and underserved areas in the Punjab; (ii) encourage exhibition and wider circulation of Pakistani films, including regional languages films, documentaries, animation and independent cinema; (jj) facilitate cinema based cultural programming , including film festivals, thematic screenings, educational screenings and community outreach initiatives; (kk) promote audience development , film literacy and engagement with cinema as a cultural and creative medium; (ll) issue guidelines and standards , in coordination with relevant authorities, relating to cinema design, safety, acoustics, seating, accessibility, audience comfort and operational best practices; (mm) act as a one-window facilitation and coordination body for cinema development projects for the purposes of the Act; (nn) maintain and update a registry and database of cinemas operating within the Punjab for planning, policy formulation and monitoring purposes; (oo) promote environmentally sustainable and energy efficient cinema designs and operations, including adaptive reuse of existing buildings; (pp) integrate cinema development with urban regeneration, cultural districts, tourism promotion, and heritage conservation initiatives, in coordination with relevant agencies; (qq) support capacity building and professional development of cinema owners, operators, managers and technical staff through trainings, workshops and knowledge sharing initiatives; (rr) collect, analyze and disse minate data and research relating to cinema exhibition, audience trends, geographic coverage and market performance for evidence- based policy making; (ss) advise the Government on legislative, regulatory and fiscal reforms required to promote cinema development and exhibition; (tt) coordinate with Federal Government, Government Departments, local governments and industry associations for achieving objectives of cinema development; (uu) perform such other functions as the Chief Minister or the Government may assign to achieve the objectives of the Act; and (vv) perform such other functions ancillary or incidental to cinema development as may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Act. 9 6. Chief Executive Officer .– (1) The Government shall appoint a Chief Executive Officer who shall be the executive head and, subject to the provisions of the Act, be responsible for management, administration and operations of the Authority. (2) The Chief Executive Officer may approve any project of an emergent nature, including maintenance, rehabilitation or construction work within the jurisdiction of the Authority, involving an estimated cost not exceeding four hundred million rupees and where estimated cost of any proposal, scheme or pr oject exceeds four hundred million rupees, the Chief Executive Officer shall place the same before the Authority for approval: Provided that details of all approvals by the Chief Executive Officer shall be laid before the Authority in its forthcoming meeting. (3) The Authority may empower the Chief Executive Officer to re - appropriate funds from one project to another on the basis of progress of the projects. 7. Film city and media .– (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify a designa ted, notified area or complex developed for the establishment and operation of film and audio -visual production, post -production, training and allied facilities to be known as the Film city for the purposes of the Act. (2) The Government may prescribe, by the rules, any other form of media in addition to the media as defined in clause (i) of section 2 of the Act. 8. Recovery of loss .– Any person employed by or serving under the Authority, charged with the administration of the affairs of the Authority, or acting o n its behalf or under a contract with the Authority, who causes loss, waste, misappropriation or misapplication of any money or property belonging to the Authority as a direct consequence of negligence, omission or misconduct in the discharge of his duties , shall be liable to make good such loss, as determined by the Authority, after affording the person concerned a reasonable opportunity of being heard. 9. Delegation of powers .– The Authority may, on such conditions and limitations as it may deem fit to impos e, delegate any of its functions or powers to any of its committees or Chief Executive Officer, except the power to: (a) approve budget and audited accounts of the Authority; (b) frame, amend or repeal regulations; and (c) propose or recommend rules. 10. Committees.– The Authority may constitute such administrative, financial, technical or advisory committees and delegate or assign to such committees such powers and functions as it may deem necessary for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 11. Purchase, lease or exchange of property .– (1) The Authority may by negotiations, in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules, purchase, lease or exchange any land, building or any other property by entering into an agreement with the owner of the property or a person legally co mpetent to sell, lease out or exchange such property or enter into joint venture agreement for the development of any site, project, building and scheme. 10 (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act, the Authority shall not dispose of any immovable property without prior approval of the Government. 12. Joint venture, outsourcing and procurement .– (1) For the purpose of joint venture, the Authority may enter into any joint venture agreement as a partner, with any person, company, agency, authority or orga nization, national or international to manage, develop, promote still and motion pictures and enter into any contract of sale, develop, maintain, build and transfer any land, plot, estate or property vested in the Authority. (2) The Authority may, subject to approval of the Government, outsource any of its functions including development of film infrastructure or another related work. 13. Employees, advisors, consultants and experts.– The Authority may, for the performance of its functions under the Act, appoint s uch employees, advis ors, consultants and experts as it may deem necessary, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the regulations. 14. Increments, incentives and bonuses .– The Chief Executive Officer shall conduct an annual performance evaluation of the employees of the Authority and may grant increments, bonuses, or performance based incentives as approved in the annual budget of the Authority. 15. Punjab Film City Authority Fund .– (1) There shall be established a fund to be known as the Punjab Film City Authority Fund which shall vest in the Authority and shall be utilized for meeting administrative, operational, institutional and regulatory expenditures of the Authority. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub -section (1), the Punjab Film City Authority Fund shall also be utilized for: (a) salaries, allowances, gratuities and other service related payments to Members, employees, consultants, advisors and experts of the Authority; (b) administrative expenses, including office operations, utilities, logisti cs, security, information technology systems and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure owned or managed by the Authority; (c) costs relating to planning, management, monitoring, regulation, facilitation and coordination of Film city operations; (d) consultancy services, feasibility studies, master planning, legal, financial, technical and advisory services; (e) operational expenses related to regulation, facilitation, and one window services for film productions; and (f) any other expenditure incidental or ancillary to the functioning of the Authority, as approved by the Authority. (3) The Punjab Film City Authority Fund shall consist of: (a) grants, loans or allocations made by the Government from time to time; (b) fees, charges, rents, license fees and service charges levied and collected by the Authority for use of Film city infrastructure and facilities; 11 (c) income generated from leasing, licensing, concession agreements or operation of assets, properties and infrastructure vested in or managed by the Authority; (d) proceeds from in vestments made by the Authority in accordance with law and approved Government policies; (e) recoveries, penalties and other receipts lawfully accruing to the Authority in the course of its operations; and (f) any other sums or monies received by the Authority for operational purposes under the Act. 16. Punjab Film Fund.– (1) There shall be established another fund to be known as the Punjab Film Fund which shall vest in the Authority and shall be utilized for promotion, development, financing and support of the film an d motion picture industry in the Punjab. (2) The Punjab Film Fund shall function as a developmental and industry support fund and shall not be utilized for routine administrative or operational expenses of the Authority. (3) In addition to the utilization of the Punjab Film Fund as provided in sub- sections (1) and (2), it shall also be applied to achieve the following objectives: (a) encouraging local and international film production in the Punjab; (b) providing financial incentives, grants, rebates, subsidies or soft support mechanisms for film, animation, visual effects and virtual production projects; (c) promoting co-productions and collaboration with foreign film industries; (d) strengthening post -production, animation, visual effects and digital media capabilities within the Punjab; (e) supporting training, skill development, fellowships, residencies and capacity building programs for film professionals; (f) supporting film festivals, film markets, international promotion, export of Pakistani films and cultural diplomacy initiatives; (g) preservation, restoration, digitization and archiving of cinematic heritage; and (h) such other film development purposes as may be approved by the Authority. (4) The Punjab Film Fund shall consist of: (a) grants, allocations or endowments made by the Government specifically for film development and cinema promotion; (b) contributions, donations, sponsorships or assistance from national or international organizations, development partners, cultural institutions or private entities, subject to approval of the Government; (c) proceeds from any film related levy, surcharge, cess or earmarked charge notified by the Government for the purposes of film development; (d) returns, revenues, or profit shares arising from co -production arrangements or investments approved under the Act; 12 (e) income generated from intellectual property, licensing or commercialization of Authority supported film projects, where applicable; and (f) any other sums received for the purposes of film development, promotion and industry support. (5) The disbursement from the Punjab Film Fund shall be made in accordance with the rules made under the Act and such rules shall prescribe: (a) eligibility criteria for applicants and beneficiaries; (b) transparent procedures for application, evaluation, approval and disbursement; (c) ceilings, c onditions and performance obligations attached to financial assistance; (d) monitoring, reporting and recovery mechanisms; and (e) safeguards against misuse, conflict of interest or financial irregularities. (6) The Authority may constitute a Film Fund Committee co nsisting of technical, financial and industry experts to evaluate proposals and make recommendations for disbursement of fund. 17. Rates and fees.– The Authority may raise adequate funds to meet the cost of planning, expansion, execution, development, maintena nce, supervision, promotion, finance, investment and regulate the motion picture industry in the Punjab by imposing rates, fees, surcharge, other charges and fines, within the Film city, in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules. 18. Maintenance of fund s.– (1) The Punjab Film City Authority Fund and the Punjab Film Fund shall be maintained as separate and distinct funds in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Finance Department of the Government and each fund shall have separate books of accounts. (2) The monies credited to one fund shall not be transferred, re - appropriated, diverted or utilized for the purposes of the other fund. 19. Bank accounts.– The Authority shall open and maintain its accounts at such Scheduled banks and in such manner as may be specified by Finance Department of the Government. 20. Maintenance of accounts.– (1) The Authority shall maintain proper accounts and other records relating to its financial affairs including its income and expenditure and its assets and liabilities in such fo rm and manner as may be prescribed by the rules. (2) After the conclusion of a financial year, the Authority shall cause to be prepared for the financial year statements of its account which shall include a balance sheet and an account of income and expenditure. (3) No expenditure for which provision has not been made in the approved budget shall be incurred without prior approval of the Authority. (4) The Authority may delegate powers to Chief Executive Officer to administer and incur expenditure in the matters of emergent nature, subject to such conditions as the Authority may determine. 13 21. Budget.– The Chief Executive Officer shall prepare, in such manner and at such times as may be prescribed by the regulations, annual budget in respect of the financial year next e nsuing showing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Authority, and shall submit the same to the Authority for approval. 22. Audit.– (1) The Auditor General of Pakistan shall annually audit the accounts of the Authority. (2) The Government, in addition to the audit under sub -section (1), shall cause the accounts of the Authority to be annually audited by a Chartered Accountant or a firm of Chartered Accountants. (3) The auditor appointed under sub-section (2) shall: (a) be provided such access to books, accounts and other documents as may be considered necessary for the audit of accounts; and (b) authenticate balance sheet, income and expenditure statement of the Authority before issuance. (4) The auditor shall submit annual or any special audit report to the Authority, and the Authority shall take appropriate remedial or other action in light of the audit report. 23. Annual report.– (1) The Authority shall, within six months of the close of a financial year, submit, to the Government, an annual report which shall consist of: (a) the statement of accounts and audit reports of the Authority; (b) a comprehensive statement of the works and activities of the Authority during the preceding financial year and its pr oposed projects and schemes; and (c) such other matters as may be prescribed by the rules or as the Authority may consider appropriate. (2) The Government shall, within three months of receipt of the annual report from the Authority, cause it to be laid in Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. 24. Recovery of dues .– (1) If a person fails to pay any amount due to the Authority, an employee of the Authority authorized by the Authority by a notification in the official Gazette, shall recover the amount due from the person as an arrear of land revenue under the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967 (XVII of 1967). (2) The fine imposed or the fee charged under the Act, shall be deposited in the Punjab Film City Authority Fund and shall form part of such fund. 25. Public servants .– The Chairperson, Members, Chief Executive Officer, officers, a ll employees, experts and consultants of the Authority when acting or purporting to perform functions in pursuance of any of the provisions of the Act, be deemed to be the public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 (XLV of 1860). 26. Indemnity.– No suit, prosecution or any other legal proceedings shall lie against the Authority, Chairperson, Members, Chief Executive Officer, any employee, expert, advisor or consultant of the Authority in respect of anything done or intende d to be done in good faith under the Act. 14 27. Jurisdiction of courts barred .– No court shall have jurisdiction to question the legality of anything done or any action taken under the Act, by or at the instance of the Authority. 28. Power to make rules .– The Govern ment may, by notification in the official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act. 29. Power to frame regulations.– The Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, frame regulations as may be necessary for carrying o ut the purposes of the Act. 30. Overriding effect.– In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Act and the provisions of any other law for the time being in force, the provisions of the Act shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency or conflict.