Islamabad, Sep 26 (Xinhua) The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of Pakistan has decided to shut down cinema houses during the holy month of Ramadan.

According to an official release, Senior NWFP Minister Sirajul Haq convened a meeting of cinema owners Monday and informed them about the government's decision.

During the meeting, the minister said the government wanted to ensure religious values in the society, state-run APP reported.

He said voluntary closure of the cinemas in the capital city of NWFP, Peshawar, would make it easy for other parts of the province to follow suit.

On a request of the cinema owners, Sirjaul Haq directed one-month exemption of taxes to the cinema houses.