However, in the end they had to cool their heels in a police station for
indulging in obscenity, which is officially banned in Pakistan.
In a raid conducted on Sunday, the Karachi Police arrested nearly 79 people,
including six cinema hall employees. But, by the time the lot reached the
police station, the number of detainees had reduced to 75. Courtesy, the
perfect quid-pro-quo between some cops and those carrying on the
"entertainment" business!!
After getting a tip-off that Reno Cinema was screening pornographic films,
Garden Police Station ASP Rai Aijaz approached the place as a decoy customer.
He bought a ticket for the "double programme" entertainment show for Rs 60,
whereas the normal single show tickets cost between Rs 15 and Rs 20.
During the first half-an-hour, a James Bong starrer was screened, and then
started the double programme show. The top cop called his police station and
soon a police raid was conducted at the cinema hall.
"The audience mostly consisted of middle aged or elderly men," Aijaz said
adding, "They're asking us to forgive them but FIRs have been registered."
Quoting the police officer, the Daily Times reported that those arrested told
the police that since it was Muharram time, their neighbourhood cable operators
had stopped showing such "entertainment," thereby leaving the men with no
choice but to resort to Reno Cinema.
