Pakistani actor and producer Fahad Mustafa has formally requested the Punjab government to extend mall and cinema operating hours, as his new film Zombeid continues to run in theatres during the Eid al-Adha season.
Mustafa wrote a letter to Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, pointing out that since most cinemas in Pakistan operate inside shopping malls, early closure timings are directly hurting newly released films that depend on this period to reach their audiences.
In his letter, he argued that even a modest extension of cinema hours could boost ticket sales and overall revenue for cinemas and film distributors, while also supporting jobs in the entertainment and hospitality sectors.
Mustafa also acknowledged the Punjab government’s efforts to support the film industry, including its Film City initiative, calling it encouraging for people working in the creative sector.
Zombeid is directed by Nabeel Qureshi and co-stars Mehwish Hayat. Marketed as Pakistan’s first zombie thriller, the film also marks Mustafa and Hayat’s first on-screen pairing since Load Wedding in 2018 and their fourth collaboration with director Qureshi.
This is Mustafa’s second major theatrical release of 2026. Earlier this year, he starred opposite Mahira Khan in Aag Lagay Basti Mein, which released during Eid al-Fitr.
His appeal highlights a growing concern in Pakistan’s film industry, that restrictive operating hours are limiting the commercial potential of local productions at their most critical release windows.
