LAHORE (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced plans to establish a 50-acre Punjab Film City in Lahore, calling it a significant move to revive Pakistan’s media and entertainment sector.
According to a statement shared on the Punjab government’s official channel, the Film City will be developed within the Nawaz Sharif IT City and is being designed as the country’s first fully integrated, end-to-end media production hub. The chief minister said the initiative would help rejuvenate the film industry by providing modern infrastructure, advanced technology, and essential resources.
She explained that the facility will bring film, television, animation, and digital media production together in one location, reducing dependence on foreign countries for visual effects (VFX) and post-production services.
The project will feature state-of-the-art studios, sound stages, and post-production labs, along with complete shooting facilities. It will also include purpose-built sets and a central lake to support large-scale productions.
Plans further include convention halls for international events and award ceremonies, as well as a media trade hub and specialized film and music schools.
Maryam Nawaz said the Film City is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and boost sectors such as animation, gaming, and digital media. She described it as a major step toward strengthening the creative economy by connecting talent, technology, and business.
The project will be executed in phases, with more details to be announced later.
The broader Nawaz Sharif IT City project spans 853 acres near PKLI, with the Punjab government allocating Rs10 billion as seed funding. It will include an IT and technology district, an education city, the Film City, and commercial and residential zones.
The first phase will feature the Celestia twin-tower IT building, expected to be completed within a year, while full infrastructure development is planned within three years, subject to land transfer and survey completion.
Master planning is being led by NESPAK in collaboration with an international consultant. The land is expected to be transferred from the Knowledge Park Company to CBD Punjab, enabling construction to begin soon.
With an estimated cost of Rs100 billion, the project aims to generate around one million jobs and will include special economic zones to attract both local and foreign investment. It will operate under multiple revenue models, including self-generation, joint ventures, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).
To further encourage investment, the Punjab government has also announced a 10-year tax exemption for the project.