KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) released its latest IPR Survey during the visit of IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam to the Chamber. The survey, covering eight sectors, found that intellectual property violations are costing the country an estimated Rs. 860 billion annually in lost revenue and taxes. Every six in 10 OICCI member companies participating in the survey said IP rights are partially protected and have further room for improvement under Pakistan’s current laws. Trademark violations were rated the most prevalent form of infringement. On enforcement, the picture is equally stark: most IP disputes take more than three years to resolve, with the survey revealing that cases rarely reach conclusion in the early stages of the process. Members rated support from law enforcement agencies including Customs, Police, and the FIA as limited. The survey recommends legal reforms aligned with TRIPS and WIPO standards, stronger inter-agency coordination, IP watch-lists at border crossings, and intelligence-led action in high-risk sectors. Staff Reporter
