The Supreme Court today ruled that the foreign films cannot be imported, distributed and displayed at the country’s cinema halls during the Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, puja and Pahela Baishakh.

The apex court, however, said that joint-venture production films can be displayed in the cinema hall during these festivals.

A three-member bench of the Appellate Division of the SC, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hissain, passed the order after hearing a petition filed by Iftekhar Uddin Nowshad, president of Bangladesh Film Exhibitors Association, against a High Court order.

Nowshad’s lawyer Advocate AM Aminuddin told The Daily Star that the foreign films can be exhibited at the country’s cinema halls other times than Eid-ul-fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, puja and Pahela Baishakh occasions.

Following a writ petition, the HC has earlier prohibited import, distribution and display of foreign and joint production films in Bangladesh, he said.

Nowshad recently filed a petition with the SC challenging the HC order.