Strategic cooperation with Brands Foundation, IPAP will continue: minister

KARACHI: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Syed Aminul Haq has said that strategic cooperation with the Brands Foundation and Intellectual Property Association of Pakistan (IPP) for the promotion of Intellectual Property Protection will continue at all levels and increase with time.

"My ministry will play a decisive role in removing red tapes and resolving every critical issue in the way of IP protection and awareness. The lack of legislation will be overcome by passing new and more stringent laws to safeguard the intellectual property in Pakistan. Digital Pakistan is our dream, and this dream will get closer to reality by means of adequate protection of intellectual property."

The minister as the Chief Guest expressed these views while addressing the first Pakistan IP Excellence Awards held on October 10. Earlier, he lauded the efforts of the Brands Foundation & IPAP for awarding IP Excellence Awards to 50 organizations and ten IP experts.

The former Attorney General of Pakistan former Justice Anwar Mansoor Khan, President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Shariq Vohra, Chairman IPP Farhan Hanif, President IPAP Tarik Feroze, Registrar Copyright Syed Nasrullah, along with Chairman HMR Group Haji Muhammad Rafiq Pardesi, Honorary Consul General of Yemen Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, CEO Askari Guards Brigadier Adnan Azeem (retd), Osama Chief Sir Shamim Ahmed and CEO of the Brands Foundation Sheikh Rashid Alam were also present at the event. The event was attended by a large number of representatives of the business community. The first IP Excellence Award was jointly organized by the Brands Foundation, IPAP, and IPO Pakistan.

Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunications Syed Amin ul Haq further said the world is moving at a brisk pace powered by novel inventions. "We have to make sure that Pakistan doesn't lag and we can only do so by making sure that intellectual property rights are sufficiently protected in Pakistan." He further added that massive efforts are required to introduce IP as a subject in educational institutions, and his ministry would extend full cooperation in this regard. Adding on, he said the problems of the business community would be addressed on a priority basis. He said that "our academic curriculum should include intellectual property as a compulsory subject and special courses and degree classes should be started in this field." He said IT exports of the country have increased and "we should make every effort to promote Made in Pakistan. Manufacturing of 3G and 4G mobiles is about to start in Pakistan in a few months."

Earlier, addressing the function, eminent jurist and the former Attorney General of Pakistan former Justice Anwar Mansoor Khan said "in today's world, the economy of a country depends on how well it's branded. Today, world-famous brands are reluctant to come to Pakistan. They fear the protection of their brand and intellectual property. This is one reason why we are deprived of direct foreign investments from big global brands."-PR

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