Newsline Publications is a registered media company set up in 1989 by a group of seasoned journalists. Its flagship publication, the monthly Newsline, has earned a number of national and international awards for the quality of its reporting and incisive analysis of social and political issues. It includes among its staff and contributors the finest journalists and analysts in the fields of politics, economy, education and health, development and the environment.

Newsline Films is a division of Newsline Publications set up in January 2004. It is a fully equipped video production unit with a specialisation in the production of documentary films.

Since its inception, Newsline Films has produced a number of documentaries on social and political issues that have been screened on national television as well as at film festivals in Pakistan and abroad.

Headed by Executive Producer Tehmina Ahmed, one of the founding editors of Newsline, the film unit draws upon a pool of expertise and experience. A specialised team is set up according to the requirements of every project.

Newsline Films has produced documentaries in collaboration with Action Aid, the British High Commission, Asia Foundation and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Film Portfolio

Some of the documentaries produced by Newsline Films are:

1.  Against the Tide (21:33)

This is a film on informal education, taking the schools run by The Citizens Foundation as an example of accomplishment in this field. It was broadcast by Geo.

2.  The Miseducation of Pakistan (30:35)

An investigative film on public sector education in Pakistan, Miseducation was screened at the Kara Film Festival in Karachi and at the Alwan Film Festival in New York.

It was broadcast by Geo.

3.  In Spirit and Flesh (35:50)

Looking into the lives of women in Heera Mandi in Lahore, the film has been shown at Kara as well as at a film festival in Iran. It was broadcast by Geo.

4. Putting the Police in Order (45:55)

This is a full length documentary examining the implications of the Police Reform Order 2002, its implementation and the current state of the police in Pakistan with respect to structure and function. The film was broadcast on Aaj TV, and accepted for screening at the KaraFilm Festival 2009.

It has been used for awareness raising through discussions and screenings by Shirkatgah and by SHEHRI, as part of a project on police reform.

The film was selected for the KARA Film Festival 2009.

5. Candle in the Dark (11:29)

Documenting the achievements of Dr Ruth Pfau and the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre, the film was screened on HUM TV.

6. What Kind of Honour ( Yeh Kaisi Ghairat)  (10:01)

This is a dramatized story on the subject of Karo Kari or Honour Killing. It has been used for awareness raising in small group sessions.

7. The Battle for Pakistan  (42.00)

This is an in-depth look at the madressa phenomenon and its ramifications in the country’s present scenario. Shot in locations ranging from the Frontier to Karachi, the film explores the background, current status and future prospects of the madressa in Pakistan.

The film was selected for the KARA Film Festival, 2009 and aired on SAMAA TV.

8. The Search for Justice (28:4)

Core Staff and Associates

Executive Producer

Tehmina Ahmed is a writer, photographer and editor with years of experience in the media. Starting her career in advertising as a copywriter and creative director, she switched over to journalism, initially as a freelance writer and later as one of the founding editors of Newsline magazine.

She has trained in still photography at the Brooks Institute, California and  in film production at the New York Film Academy.

Newsline Films has on its panel a team of experienced directors.