Denizens of the capital city have been asking for a drive-in cinema for ages. And now it seems that wish may just become a reality. All it took was a pandemic and social distancing SOPs to finally make it happen, in Islamabad.
Despite the Minister of Planning Asad Umar’s announcement that movie theaters were permitted to open for business from August 10th, many cinema houses kept their doors closed. Given the threat of coronavirus the world over, it wasn’t too hard to determine there were no new releases coming out. This, in turn, did not warrant the opening of theaters in this economy.
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Given the complex ground realities, what is an entertainment-starved populace to do? Demand a drive-in cinema? Apparently, that’s exactly what happened.
Drive-in Cinema in Islamabad
Recently, one Islamabad-based Twitter user made a request to the District Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat himself.
Here’s what he tweeted:
“Sir, given we have COVID-19 on the rise and there can’t be any big gathering in the city, how about DC office plan a car theatre every weekend in F-9 until things are back to normal. Food vendors can put stalls and serve in cars. Could be a brilliant activity in COVID.”
Sir given we have Covid-19 on the rise and there can’t be any big gathering in the city, how about DC office plan a car theatre every weekend in F9 until things are back to normal. Food vendors can put stalls and serve in car. Could be brilliant activity in Covid. @hamzashafqaat pic.twitter.com/bH1MgQ6xKy
— Faizan Khan (@Faizankhaan91) November 24, 2020
Turns out DC Islamabad, Hamza Shafqaat was thinking the same thing. In fact, DC Office has a drive-in cinema planned for next month.
Working on it. We plan to have a car cinema next month. Stay tuned 🎬 https://t.co/rx2ZcHDCZd
— Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat (@hamzashafqaat) November 24, 2020
Of course, the citizens of Islamabad love the idea. Here is how people feel about the idea:
https://twitter.com/lmaaobye/status/1331211929415716865
There were even suggestions about the location.
You just need to put a screen at gulberg interchange expressway and your car cinema is ready with hundreds of viewers stuck there.
— Hassan Qazi (@Hassan_Qazi) November 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/Saifkayani17/status/1331168222578683905
Instead of DC office lawns of PM house will be a better location for open air theater.
— No-brainer (@Nobrain94534006) November 24, 2020
Netizens had plenty of suggestions. Some of them couldn’t help but reminisce about the good old days when these drive-in cinemas were a regular fixture across the country.
https://twitter.com/PresidentofPK/status/1331241770634637321
https://twitter.com/Imranmyjaan/status/1331241402911641600
Please don't ruin f9 park. If necessary use air force or f8 gate. F10 is already overcrowded
— ش ی ر ا ز (@sherazazam3) November 24, 2020
Of course, some people just weren’t onboard with the idea of a drive-in cinema:
How to control the people inside cars? There will be many dancing cars around.
— Yasir Shabbir (@YasirSh57125645) November 24, 2020
Baraye meherbani har gaari ke liye infrared camera bhi install kijiye ga. Warna F9 park ki parking already mashhoor hai ghair ikhlaaqi sar garmiyon ke liye. Cinema ban Gaya to waisay hi tinted cars mein "parking" Karnay walon ko bahana mil jaega. Lhr cinema leaks aren't that old.
— Pharmacist Rants (@PharmacistRants) November 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/faisalafridi007/status/1331161299879931905
There were some legitimate concerns about following Coronavirus SOPs inside the vehicles. As well as what kind of vehicles will be permitted.
How many people in a car to maintain social distancing and who will make sure the appropriate sop's maintained?
— MUHAMMAD Inaam kakar (@InaamKhan_kakar) November 24, 2020
Will Bullock Cart be allowed with some kind of roof
— Umair BilalYousafzai (@UmairUsafzai) November 24, 2020
Great for emissions #CleanGreenIslamabad 👍🏼
— Hashim (@hashim_i) November 24, 2020
Then there were safety concerns.
Now a days safe city is main issue of Islamabad, as daoits looted gold shop in F 6 and reports on social media beggars having weapons and they are looting the people
— Janjua (@Mee_Janjua) November 24, 2020
F9 main security tou day do pehlay bhai
— Annie (@isthisannie) November 24, 2020
As well as commentary on DC Islamabad doing more than his job description.
Sir ye kaam na karein Pakistani film kam aur dosra kaam ziada karenge isme….
— Nouman Ali khan (@_pakiistan) November 24, 2020
@dcislamabad for PM, for President, for CM Punjab. 😅We need Hamza Shafqaat everywhere. 🙃
— Fahad (@fahadiftikhar_) November 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/CivilBrat/status/1331295408245575684
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Meanwhile, folks from other cities asked their respective government officials to take notes from Hamza Shafqaat.
@DCLahore kob apna jotha pilaen….
— K. 🇵🇸 (@KhalaiMakhloq4) November 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/zasohrabyam/status/1331215042143002624
Lahore need such competent officers badly
— Sikander Asif (@SikanderAsif11) November 24, 2020
It’s Official!
It was later revealed in a press release that a project has been devised to provide the facility of a drive-in cinema to the citizens of Islamabad, with the cooperation of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The project will be completed while considering the danger of the Coronavirus pandemic. It would be an international standard cinema with a capacity of 1000 cars. CDA will choose such a location for this project where there would be space for 1000 cars.
This project will be in accord with the SOPs against the Coronavirus. The project will be completed under the special directions and personal interest of Chairman CDA.
What do you think about the idea? We’d particularly like to hear what residents of Islamabad have to say about the drive-in cinema.
Let us know in the comments below what you think and why.
