Pakistan government has provided security to Lollywood actress Meera, even as a petition was filed in a Pakistani court seeking to ban her from acting in Indian films.

Meera, who returned from the sets of Mahesh Bhatt’s film ‘Nazar’ in Mumbai three days ago, was provided security after she took up the issue of threats with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Information Minister Sheikh Rashid. She had received threats for allegedly featuring in a kissing scene in the film. Meera lives in Lahore, the home of Pakistan’s fledgling film industry.

A BRITON who held television viewers spellbound as he enthusiastically sampled every aspect of life in Pakistan, from dire poverty to the gun law of wild tribal areas, was given his reward yesterday — the promise of Pakistani citizenship.

In one of the more challenging reality shows, George Fulton, a burly 26-year-old journalist from Cheshire, was given three months to adapt to life in Pakistan as cameras filmed his every step. The show, George Ka Pakistan (George’s Pakistan), ran every Tuesday evening for 13 weeks and became the most popular show in the overwhelmingly Muslim country.

The Rafi Peer Theatre’s 10-day world performing arts festival, 2004, is being held at the Alhamra Cultural Complex from Nov 27.

As many as 600 artistes of over 33 countries, including India, will perform in various disciplines of performing arts like dance, theatre, music and puppetry.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi will inaugurate the festival. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will attend its premier show on Nov 26, a day ahead of its formal launch.

Rafi Peer Theatre directors Faizan Peerzada and Usman Peerzada told newsmen here at the Lahore Press Club on Friday that it was one of the biggest festivals in South Asia.