Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Marriyum Aurangzeb announced the finalization of the draft of Pakistan’s first music policy to resolve issues of industry, especially piracy, and copyrights.
According to the reports, the draft policy is likely to be presented before the federal cabinet after Eid-ul-Adha for approval. After the cabinet’s nod, the ministry will implement the policy.
She conceded that Pakistan and its music industry suffered due to intellectual property theft, but said the new policy will fully protect the rights of composers and musicians.
Marriyum Aurangzeb said the music policy had been prepared in accordance with international standards and also considering the relevant laws in the neighboring countries.
She said the artists’ public performance, production, distribution, adaptation, duration, and mechanical and communication rights were also brought into the legal framework through the policy.
According to the minister, the policy would effectively end the monopolization of the industry and protest the basic legal rights of the artists. It will provide legal cover to the rights of music producers, singers, writers, and lyricists, besides resolving the long-standing issues of the industry related to sales and piracy.
She said initiatives for local and folk music in regional languages are also part of the policy and through this, steps will be taken to protect and promote the great heritage of Pakistani music.
I hope this is not given to PEMRA or the God awful arts council people. Give it to real artists who know the entire music industry like Alamgir, M.Ali Shekhi, Shezad Mughal, Shezad Roy, Atif Aslam, Junaid, Hadiqa……