Islamabad (Khyber Mail): Pakistan will remain a consumer-driven economy unless it adopts a robust culture of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), warned Ambassador Farukh Amil, Chairman of the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan). Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Amb Amil emphasized that fostering IPR awareness—especially among the youth—was essential for transforming Pakistan into a startup-driven economy.
In his keynote address, Amb Amil highlighted IPO-Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to join international IP treaties and promote the use of intellectual property tools such as trademarks, copyrights, patents, and geographical indications. He stressed that without a firm commitment to protecting intellectual property, Pakistan would struggle to innovate and compete in the global economy.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, echoed these concerns, stating that Pakistan’s inability to brand and protect its innovations has contributed to economic stagnation. “This is the age of branding, and Pakistan has failed to capitalize on its potential due to the absence of a strong intellectual property framework,” he remarked. Amb Saleem called for policies that incentivize innovation, warning that a lack of protection discourages creative and entrepreneurial efforts. He praised IPO-Pakistan’s initiatives and expressed IRS’s willingness to collaborate on promoting IPR awareness, research, and advocacy.
Amb Amil further linked intellectual property rights to national economic security, arguing that inadequate IPR protections threaten key areas like food security and technological advancement. He lamented Pakistan’s failure to gain international recognition through strong branding and warned that without integrating IPR education into the national curriculum, the issue would remain confined to an elite class. He urged policymakers to introduce IPR education at all levels to cultivate a culture where young people understand the importance of protecting their innovations.
The event attracted a diverse audience of students and researchers, with an interactive session revealing a strong interest in deepening knowledge of intellectual property rights. Participants expressed a collective desire for greater education and engagement on the topic to help Pakistan move beyond its current consumer-based economy.