The National Assembly finally passed the long-awaited "The Geographical Indication Bill, 2020" aimed at protecting ownership rights of goods produced in the country.
Due to the absence of GI legislation, international brands continue selling Pakistan-origin goods such as Paul Smith's Peshawari Chappal, Moroccan Ajrak and California Basmati, depriving the country to get premium on its GIs in the international market.
"Geographical Indication Bill moved by MoC approved by National Assembly today, took 14 years to get this law enacted. It will help protect our regional products and increase their export value. Great job done by Mujeeb Khan, Chairman IPO and his dynamic team," a jubilant Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sikhera, secretary commerce, tweeted, the moment the bill was approved by the NA.
The bill identifies the products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation attributable to their place of origin.
These are generally traditional products that have gained a reputation in the local, national or international markets due to their specific unique qualities.
It aims to recognise and protect these products through legislation allowing the community of producers to get a fair value of their commodities, while preserving their unique identity.
The bill will help protect various products local to the country including Hunza Apricots, Charsadda/Peshawari Chappal, Multani halwa, Sindhi Ajrak, Sargodha's Kinno, Kasuri Methi, Sindhri mangoes, Dir knives, Swat wild mushrooms, Nili-Ravi buffalo, Chaman grapes, Pashmina shawls, etc.
The member countries of the World Trade Organisation are required to protect GIs under Article 22-24 of the trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement.
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