To preserve and celebrate classic Pakistani film screenplays, the Media Studies Department at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) launched the initiative “A Screenplay from Pakistan” on its campus on October 8, 2024. Each volume in the series will feature original scripts from acclaimed films, honoring the rich heritage of the nation's cinema. The first volume, Saawan, written by Dr. Mashood Qadri, was unveiled at the event, which was attended by leading media professionals, as well as IoBM faculty, management, and students. In his opening remarks, Talib S. Karim, President of IoBM, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in fostering creativity and preserving Pakistan’s cultural legacy. He expressed hope that the project would reignite interest in the art of reading. Satish Anand, Chairman of Eveready Group of Companies, praised the project as a commendable effort to celebrate and promote Pakistan’s cinematic traditions. He envisioned the project as an opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation of filmmakers, helping them better understand the roots of Pakistani cinema and its evolving narrative styles.
Muhammad Faraz, a faculty member of IoBM’s Media Studies Department and project lead, aims to make these screenplays accessible to students, filmmakers, and media professionals. Alongside Nabhan Karim, Head of Media Production and MARCOM at IoBM, Faraz introduced the initiative, which includes the launch of a dedicated website to promote the scripts of selected films. Special video messages from Saawan’s screenwriter, Dr. Mashood Qadri, and lead actor, Arif Bahalim, were also played, adding significance to the occasion. Notable attendees included Syed Mubashir Imam, CEO of ChannelTek Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.; Mohsin Iqbal, Head of Programming, Express News; and Javed Saba, senior poet and journalist. The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Tariq Bin Azad, a Research Scholar at the Urdu Lughat Board. The panelists were Kamran Wajih, Director of Marketing Planning and Strategies at Express Media; Zaheeruddin Ahmed, CEO of Dareechay Films; renowned scriptwriter Omair Ahmed Khan; and Muhammad Faraz. The discussion explored the power of storytelling in shaping narratives, fostering empathy, and bridging cultures. Through personal insights and examples, the panel highlighted the enduring influence of effective storytelling. Ejaz Wasay, Head of IoBM’s Media Studies Department, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, marking it as a significant milestone in IoBM’s contribution to advancing Pakistan’s cinematic heritage.