THIS is with reference to Shaila Murtuza`s letter `Ban on Indian movies (Nov 28).

The Lahore High Court has not banned the exhibition of Indian films.

It has ordered the Central Board of Film Censors not to certify films which do not have proper import documents.

As far as the writer`s angst as to why we should allow Indian films to be exhibited while the Indians don`t permit the same is a personalpoint of view.

No cricket-playing country is willing to play in Pakistan but we do cross the border to play. This is the simplest parable.

Since Indian films were permitted to be screened legally in Pakistan, not only have a number of cinemas been constructed, many have been refurbished.

Cinemas are the box office, and the multiplexes which have come up have helped in making niche Pakistani filmsviable and assisted some Pakistani films to be a commercial success: the most recent is `Waar` which is continuing to create box office records unmatched by any Indian film.

Only competition and open markets will raise standards and the Lahore High Court has spoken with wisdom by not banning films.

ZULFIQAR ALI RAMZI Former Chairman Sindh Board of Film Censors Karachi