Islamabad, Nov 12 (IANS): After a ban was imposed on airing Indian content in Pakistan, the country's cinemas are all set to screen Iranian films.

The move comes in a bid to save the declining Pakistan film industry as it was previously functional with screening of Indian movies which were banned as the relations between New Delhi and Islamabad dipped to a new low after the September 18 attack at an Indian Army base in Uri town of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani film distributors have initiated formal contacts in Iran and Turkey for the import of their movies, Dawn online reported.

Executive Director of Pakistan National Institute for Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) Fouzia Saeed earlier told IRNA news agency that Iranian movies which are culturally very close to Pakistani society ought to be screened in the country's cinemas.

"Iranian movies are being appreciated globally and their screening in Pakistan must be encouraged," she said.

Mohsin Yaseen, General Manager Marketing of Pakistan's Cinepax Cinema, also said they would love to experiment with Iranian movies which are the best way of cultural exchange.

"From your platform, we would like to request the culture department of Iranian consulate, if they can help us under the exchange of cultural programme and help us to reach producers of Iranian movies to release movies in Pakistan," he said.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in October issued an order limiting the amount of airtime allowed for Indian content in Pakistan, mimicking the format India adopted for the airing of Pakistani content.