Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (MD) Pakistan Tobacco Company Nicholas Stewart Hales has said that brands in Pakistan are under threat from the counterfeit industry. While addressing IPR on Tuesday, he said, "Counterfeit industry is in fact a billion rupee sophisticated and well-organised criminal enterprises and counterfeit industry also harms the Government revenues along with harming Government's credibility in its ability to protect its citizens".
He also appreciated the recent actions by law enforcement agencies against counterfeiters. However he stressed that more should be done to combat this menace. He also stressed the need to establish a 'credible enforcement regime' for speedy actions, establishment of a strong marketplace surveillance programme, proactive enforcement and a dedicated team to put the 'credible enforcement regime' into action.-PR