Fruits of "Geographical Indication Bill" passed by PTI govt

[Dil_Pakistan]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1279724578965684225

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NA passes the Geographical Indication Bill, 2020
By RECORDER REPORT on March 10, 2020

https://www.brecorder.com/2020/03/10/578691/na-passes-the-geographical-indication-bill-2020/

The National Assembly finally passed the long-awaited “The Geographical Indication Bill, 2020" aimed at protecting ownership rights of goods produced in the country.

Due to the absence of GI legislation, international brands continue selling Pakistan-origin goods such as Paul Smith's Peshawari Chappal, Moroccan Ajrak and California Basmati, depriving the country to get premium on its GIs in the international market.

“Geographical Indication Bill moved by MoC approved by National Assembly today, took 14 years to get this law enacted. It will help protect our regional products and increase their export value. Great job done by Mujeeb Khan, Chairman IPO and his dynamic team," a jubilant Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sikhera, secretary commerce, tweeted, the moment the bill was approved by the NA.

The bill identifies the products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or reputation attributable to their place of origin.

These are generally traditional products that have gained a reputation in the local, national or international markets due to their specific unique qualities.

It aims to recognise and protect these products through legislation allowing the community of producers to get a fair value of their commodities, while preserving their unique identity.

The bill will help protect various products local to the country including Hunza Apricots, Charsadda/Peshawari Chappal, Multani halwa, Sindhi Ajrak, Sargodha's Kinno, Kasuri Methi, Sindhri mangoes, Dir knives, Swat wild mushrooms, Nili-Ravi buffalo, Chaman grapes, Pashmina shawls, etc.

The member countries of the World Trade Organisation are required to protect GIs under Article 22-24 of the trade-related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights agreement.

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PAKISTAN: New Geographical Indications Law

https://www.inta.org/INTABulletin/Pages/Pakistan_7509.aspx

On March 9, 2020, Pakistan’s National Assembly passed the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act, 2020 (GIRPA’20). The Act, which was approved by the Senate on February 14, 2020, establishes a system for registration and protection of rights in geographical indications (GIs) in Pakistan.

Once a GI is registered under GIRPA’20 for the given goods, then the producers or operators (including traders) of such goods (that are entered in the GI Register as authorized users) will hold an exclusive right to use the given GI in relation to the good for which it is registered. They also will obtain the right to sue third parties for infringement of their registered right.

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It's to be noted, that the bill has only got passed during PTI's govt. tenure else it was lying for 14 years(read the 3rd para of brrecorder article posted above).. I could have not mentioned the govt. part but seeing how partisan it is and almost all failures or setbacks, even caused or result of steps taken or done by previous govt. is proudly attributed and presented as "failure" of current Govt., i think current govt. at least deserves credit where it is due..

 

[arjunk]

FINALLY

 

[masterchief_mirza]

It's to be noted, that the bill has only got past during PTI's govt. tenure else it was lying for 14 years(read the 3rd para of brrecorder article posted above).. I could have not mentioned the govt. part but seeing how partisan it is and almost all failures or setbacks, even caused or result of steps taken or done by previous govt. is proudly attributed and presented as "failure" of current Govt., i think current govt. at least deserves credit where it is due..

Most important part of your post.

Look, Pakistanis need to wake up and realise, they have not been living in a democracy for the last 70 years, rather it has been a glorified "protection racket", run alternately by a number of foreign funded mafia groups.

Protection rackets loot money from their subjects, under a thinly veiled guise of leadership or governance. The actual leadership and governance demonstrable are actually paper thin in terms of substance. Take a simple act like this one, needed to protect origin rights of produce, a given in developed nations, yet here we are waiting until 2020 to enact such an ordinance.

Pakistan actually is in such a state that it only has one party that is remotely fit to govern - PTI - and it is far from a good government. PTI is simply better than the alternative options of mafia racketeering.

PPP and PMLN need to be disbanded and real opposition parties inaugurated.

 

[Crusher]

Good development!

 

[Imran Khan]

we are always late some 20-30 years . a bill take them years to protect Pakistani products many years what a shame man .

 

[HAIDER]

we are always late some 20-30 years . a bill take them years to protect Pakistani products many years what a shame man .

Indian sold Pakistani basmati rice in Product of India bags for last many years. This terrorism shitzz has badly damage our economy and our traders end up blackmailed from others due to foreign market sanctions. PTI govt atleast pushing hard to protect the products rights.

 

[Syed1.]

Last 10 years were a total write off. Just like the 90s.


I hope PTI rule for 20-30 years or some other clean and patriotic option emerges. If we go back to traitors like PML-N or PPP then we again fall behind.

 

[AZ1]

So now Pink Salt can not be sold by India?

 

[masterchief_mirza]

So now Pink Salt can not be sold by India?

I don't think it can be applied retrospectively. I presume whatever contracts already exist cannot be undone, but at least in future, unscrupulous Pakistani exporters must now mark their products correctly for distributors.

 

[In arduis fidelis]

So now Pink Salt can not be sold by India?

It can be sold be it cannot be advertised as product of India. Also i believe Pakistani companies have been overtaking all others in pink salt market big time over the last 1 year. Now international markets have pink salt marketed directly by Pakistani companies rather them intermediaries

 

[Enigma SIG]

The whole trader mentality has to be changed in Pakistan. No body thinks of value addition. That's where the money is.

 

[darksider]

Last 10 years were a total write off. Just like the 90s.


I hope PTI rule for 20-30 years or some other clean and patriotic option emerges. If we go back to traitors like PML-N or PPP then we again fall behind.

I am with some other patriotic option.

 

[TNT]

Finally some good legislation. Good job.

 

[Genghis khan1]

Yap, Product of Pakistan label on all pink salt currently in stores in my area.

I bought some .. For Dining table use.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Good move