Pakistan's Central Board of Film Censor (CBFC) Chairman Mobasher Hasan told The Express Tribune: "'Tiger Zinda Hai' has been refused the NOC, citing the same reason as the first installment of the franchise. The image of Pakistan and its law enforcement agencies have been compromised."
Earlier 'Ek Tha Tiger' was also not released in Pakistan and the similar reasons were also given at that time.
Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF), the movie is about two spies -- one Indian and the other Pakistani. Salman Khan is playing the role of Tiger who is an Indian spy and Katrina will be seen as Zoya, a Pakistani spy. The film is slated to release in India on December 22.
Sulaiman S. Lalani, Executive Director, Geo TV Network who was gearing up for the distribution of the film in Pakistan said, "Our preferred option was that 'Tiger Zinda Hai' should have been allowed for import, presented to censor board, and if any objectionable material was found against the interests of Pakistan/ Islam, the exhibition of the film shouldn't have been allowed then.
"In fact, if there was anything against the national interests of Pakistan in the film, we ourselves wouldn't have sought the exhibition but this could have been done only after a preview of the film."
He said they were verbally advised that Ministry of Information has decided not to issue NOC for import of "Tiger Zinda Hai" with "no reasons assigned".
"Pakistan loves Salman Khan. 'Sultan' was a mega blockbuster and minted approximately $3 million at the box office in Pakistan. His 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' was also loved by fans here," Lalani said.
Earlier the director of the film Ali Abbas Zafar has clarified that 'Tiger Zinda Hai' is not political. It's story about humanity.
Well, there are few more days left for the release date lets see if Pakistani authorities change their minds or not.
