IMAX to Open its First Theatres in Pakistan

Watch out. Along with the persisting real action in Pakistan, now it’s time for some reel action also. IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX; TSX: IMX) and Cine Star Cinema Pakistan have announced a sale agreement to install three digital IMAX theatre systems into new construction projects in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi, Pakistan, beginning in 2013.

Announced today, March 15, the deal marks IMAX’s first commercial theatres to open in Pakistan and brings the total number of IMAX theatres open or contracted to open in the Asia Pacific region to 303.

“One of the key reasons for our strategic investment in IMAX is the company’s success in developing markets globally, such as Russia, India and China. We believe IMAX represents an exciting and profitable business opportunity that will set our multiplexes apart from our competition,” said Faraz Chaudhry, CEO Cine Star Pakistan.

“With the most immersive cinematic platform available, coupled with the best in Hollywood and local-language content, we look forward to offering our patrons a movie-going experience unlike anything they’ve had before.”

“Cine Star, one of the top cinema chains in Pakistan with numerous real estate and film industry assets, is a strategic partner that shares our vision of delivering the ultimate cinematic experience to movie-goers,” said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “We look forward to expanding into Pakistan, a market we believe provides exciting opportunities for growth.”

IMAX’s digital projection system delivers The IMAX Experience and helps drive profitability for studios, exhibitors and IMAX theatres by eliminating the need for film prints, increasing program flexibility and ultimately increasing the number of movies shown on IMAX screens. The system can run both IMAX and IMAX 3D presentations.

Cine Star was established in Lahore as a premium cinema house in 2008. It offers a range of Hollywood and Bollywood movies.

Photo courtesy: IMAX