'Government upgrading intellectual property infrastructure'

The government has increased its policy focus on intellectual property management and upgradation of intellectual property infrastructure for socio-economic development in the ongoing globalisation movement.
Chairman, Central Board of Revenue (CBR) and Secretary General Revenue Division Abdullah Yousaf said this on Tuesday while addressing a three-day WIPO National Workshop on Enforcement of Intellectual Property rights, organised by Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO)-Pakistan and European Commission in assistance with WIPO.
The CBR chairman said IP had been brought under the limelight of public policy by simultaneously establishing IPO-Pakistan, empowering FIA and activating Pakistan Customs against piracy.
There has been a visible improvement after bringing IPO on the ground, he said adding that the government was serious to protect the IP rights, curb piracy and violation of copyrights. Abdullah Yousaf stressed the co-operation between allied agencies, introduction with latest technologies and institutionalisation of the whole framework so as to get the desired results.
He said the people resort to short cuts and infringe others rights for personnel gains but the stern action against these elements would be helpful to meet the challenges. He welcomed the support of European Commission and WIPO and vowed to review the recommendations of this workshop for further possible improvement.
Earlier, Director General IPO-Pakistan Yasin Tahir said Pakistan had been facing many challenges, however, vivid policies of the government and Ist and 2nd generation economic reform programs have brought positive changes and situation is very much better than earlier.
Highlighting the achievements due to concentration of the present government on the subject, he said US closed a four-year old GSP petition against Pakistani export, removed Pakistan from priority watch list and offered Pakistan a three-year IP supported programme (CLDP) for capacity building and upgradation of IP infrastructure in Pakistan.
He said there was also no dearth of financial commitment as the government had provided sufficient funds to meet the start-up requirements of IPO-Pakistan. He said the government provided Rs 113 million in 2005-2006 and Rs136 million have been earmarked for IPO Pakistan during the current financial year ie, 2006-07.
The government has also invested its finest human capital in the governance structure of IPO-Pakistan. IPO Policy Board represents a new paradigm of public-private partnership in governance, he added.
A reliable team of officers has been provided for management of the start-up activities of the new organisation, he said adding, the salary structure of professional staff of IPO has also been designed to be sufficiently attractive and retentive for quality staff.
He said this speaks volumes about the political, financial and administrative commitment of the government of Pakistan for qualitative upgradation of IP infrastructure in the country.
Earlier, Deputy Director Enforcement and Special Project Division WIPO Louise Van Greunen Vuagnat and Acting Head of Delegation European Commission Balthasar Benz highlighted the importance of subject. They underscored the need of creating awareness among the public and stockholders about the subject and adopting necessary measures to cater to the need of the hour.