ISLAMABAD  –  Pakistan participated in the 43rd Fajr Film Festival held in the historic city of Shiraz, Iran, with Federal Culture Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi leading the national delegation. The minister was invited as a special guest and was accompanied by prominent Pakistani filmmakers. In his keynote address, Minister Khichi emphasised the importance of enhancing cultural cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, particularly through joint film productions. He noted that both countries share close social, cultural, religious, and brotherly ties, and stressed that cinema is a powerful medium for promoting cultural values. The minister added that the exchange of films between Pakistani and Iranian cinemas would help strengthen people-to-people relations. 

For the first time, three Pakistani movies — Actor in Law, Umro Ayyar: A New Beginning, and Taxali Gate — were screened at the festival. 

Minister Khichi actively participated in various festival events, visited the Pakistan Pavilion, and met with the chairman of the Cinematic Foundation of Iran. He invited the chairman to visit Pakistan and engage with key stakeholders in the country’s film industry. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to uplifting Pakistan’s cinema sector and expressed optimism about deeper collaboration with Iran in film making.