Given the critical importance of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge, IPO-Pakistan arranged an interactive consultative session on Tuesday, 20 May, 2025 for a discussion on the International Legal Instrument of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge (GR&TK). It was continuation of the series of activities which IPO-Pakistan is conducting all over the country to build national consensus for joining this agreement.
The session was jointly chaired by the Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil, Chairperson IPO-Pakistan and Prof. Dr. Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor, Karakoram International University (KIU), Gilgit. It was attended by a large number of students, faculty members, researchers of the university and representatives of business, lawyer and local communities in the Gilgit region.
During the welcome address Prof. Dr. Attaullah Shah highlighted importance of the Intellectual Property and appreciated the role of IPO-Pakistan for promoting it at national level. He shared information about some success stories of his university in R&D and IP registration. Regarding Genetic Resources he informed that GB is genetic resources rich region. He appreciated and ensured full support from his institution for joining international treaty on GR&TK to support the local communities.
Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil, Chairperson IPO-Pakistan during his key note address highlighted the importance of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GR&TK). He said that the adoption of the historic international treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge by WIPO marks a significant step forward for developing countries in establishing tools that can contribute to prevent or remedy the misappropriation of GRs and associated TK. Resulting from negotiations since 1999, the treaty mandates the disclosure of the origin or source of GRs and associated TK in patent applications, enhancing transparency of the patent system. He informed that 42 member countries of WIPO have signed this ILI. Others are considering to sign after consultations at national level. IPO-Pakistan, being focal government body to coordinate with WIPO, has forwarded the ILI document to all the concerned public and private stakeholders for comments. Consultative sessions with academia, R&D institutes and local communities are being conducted to build a national consensus. Joining this ILI is important for Pakistan, as Pakistan is Genetic Resources rich country regarding its flora and fauna from mountains of GB to mangroves of Sindh. He said that today’s consultative session is part of the series of consultations being held with esteemed researchers, scholars, students and local communities to discuss pros and cons of the ILI on GR and TK for Pakistan before proceeding to join this international treaty.
Mr. Muhammad Ismail, Director GRTKF, IPO-Pakistan during his presentation said that there was the need to protect Pakistan’s Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge by proper mapping these indigenous resources. He explained with examples; how Genetic Resources of Pakistan were misappropriated by erroneous grant of patents on traditional products of Pakistan in other countries.
Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Assistant Director IPO-Pakistan earlier presented a brief presentation on Protection and Registration of Intellectual Property Rights and its importance for economic development.
Dr. Muhammad Ismail, Director ORIC, KIU briefed the participants about the role of ORIC Office to encourage IP rights protection.
The Consultative Session afforded a detailed discussion with a lively Q&A session. The participants gave their valuable inputs. All the participants agreed unanimously that Pakistan should join hands with international community to join ILI on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge in the best national interest.
Later on, the IPO team visited the Agriculture Department GB where protection of GRTKF was discussed. In the evening over dinner hosted by the vice chancellor the importance of Agriculture in GB was highlighted. The Chairperson also stressed that GB was not a remote area of Pakistan but instead the gateway on the global road of prosperity the BRI and CPEC.
