Pakistan’s intellectual property (IP) landscape has undergone significant transformation over the years, shaped by its participation in international agreements, bilateral treaties, and regional trade blocs.

As the country strives to align its IP regime with global standards, it faces both opportunities and challenges in fostering innovation, attracting investment, and ensuring public access to essential goods.

Pakistan’s participation in international IP agreements

Pakistan is an active participant in the global intellectual property system, having ratified several key international agreements. The cornerstone of its IP framework is the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which Pakistan adopted as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995.

TRIPS mandates minimum standards for IP protection, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs. To comply, Pakistan has enacted laws such as the Patents Ordinance (2000), Copyright Ordinance (1962, amended in 2000), and Trademarks Ordinance (2001).

Beyond TRIPS, Pakistan is a member of other significant agreements, including the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (joined in 2004), the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (acceded in 1948), and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (joined in 2006). These agreements provide a framework for protecting industrial property, copyrights, and patents on an international scale.

Additionally, Pakistan’s membership in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) since 1977 has enabled it to access technical assistance and participate in global efforts to harmonize IP standards.

Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Enforcement of IP laws is weak due to limited resources, lack of awareness, and institutional inefficiencies. Counterfeiting and piracy, particularly in the pharmaceutical and textile sectors, continue to undermine the effectiveness of Pakistan’s IP regime. For instance, the widespread availability of counterfeit medicines and pirated software not only harms legitimate businesses but also poses serious risks to public health and safety.

Bilateral IP agreements and regional cooperation

Pakistan has also entered into several bilateral agreements that include provisions for IP protection. For........

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