In the continuing efforts to promote Intellectual Property awareness across all sectors and cities of Pakistan, IPO-Pakistan arranged an interactive consultative session at the University of Baltistan. Given the rich diversity of natural resources of GB, a major component focused on a discussion on the International Legal Instrument (ILI) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge (GR&TK) Treaty. A key aim was to build understanding and consensus amongst the professional stakeholders from the research community.
The session was jointly chaired by Chairperson IPO-Pakistan, Ambassador (r) Farukh Amil and Vice Chancellor Naeem Tariq Narejo, University of Baltistan, Skardu. It was attended by a large number of students, Faculty members, researchers of the university and representatives of business and local communities in the Baltistan region.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the importance of the Intellectual Property and appreciated the role of IPO-Pakistan for promoting it at the national level. He informed that all areas of the Baltistan had unique biodiversity and there was immense potential in securing benefits from these Genetic Resources for the local communities. He stressed GB was a Genetic Resource rich region. He appreciated and ensured full support of the University of Baltistan to joining the GRATK Treaty since it would strengthen resilience and business opportunities for the local communities.
Chairperson IPO stressed from the outset that IPO-Pakistan’s effort was to reach out to all stakeholders across country (academia, R&PD institutions and local business communities). He emphasized that GB was often erroneously described as a ‘remote’ area but the reality could not be further from the truth. GB was a ‘Gateway’ region, very much at the center of the emerging global economic pathways, the BRI / CPEC. He highlighted the importance of IP in general and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GRATK) in particular. He said that the Treaty marked a significant step forward for the Global South in establishing mechanisms to prevent or remedy the misappropriation of Genetic Resources. IPO-Pakistan looked forward to the valuable views of University of Baltistan. The session was part of the series of consultations being held to discuss the benefits or otherwise of joining the Treaty.
Chair IPO reiterated that GB's genetic resources were pristine, unadulterated by chemicals and genetic modification. The tradition of Organic Agriculture together with the longevity of life in the region perfectly placed GB in the global elite Blue Zone category. This aspect should be further researched and refined because it was potentially very lucrative for GB, both for high-end Agriculture and Tourism.
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 the 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 delivered an engaging interactive presentation on Protection and Registration of Intellectual Property Rights and its importance for economic development which elicited an enthusiastic response especially from the students.
Dr. Shafqat Hussain, Director ORIC, University of Baltistan, Skardu briefed the participants about the important role of ORIC Office to encourage IP rights protection and the promotion of entrepreneurial activity to create an innovation and knowledge economy.
The Consultative Session afforded a detailed discussion with a lively Q&A session. The participants gave their valuable inputs. The faculty was enthusiastic about Pakistan joining GRATK Treaty especially if it could secure the valuable Genetic Resources of GB for the local communities, their economies and financial empowerment.
