Intellectual property: ‘Violation of rights damages economy’

ISLAMABAD: Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) Chairman Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that one of the causes of economic uncertainty and reduction in exports and foreign direct investment is violation of intellectual property (IP) rights in the country. He said it is imperative that enforcement agencies take punitive action against violators of IP rights to restore investor confidence. Afridi further said that Pakistan is blessed with numerous resources, however, an honest approach is required to face existing challenges. In response to concerns expressed by representative of the business community on load-shedding, Afridi said the existing energy crisis is worsening and the construction of new dams is the only solution to the crisis. He further said that IPO-Pakistan had provided a platform to the researchers and innovators for registration of their inventions. “A comprehensive and technically sound framework is being initiated to spread awareness of intellectual property rights and its impact,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2012.