FAISALABAD, May 26, 2025: Given the critical importance of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge IPO-Pakistan arranged an interactive consultative session to discuss the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge (GR&TK) aligned with 1st Meeting of ORIC Forum, 2025.

It was continuation of the series of activities which IPO-Pakistan is conducting all over the country to build national consensus for joining this agreement. 

The session was jointly chaired by Chairperson IPO-Pakistan, Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil, Dr. Iqrar Ahmad khan (H.I., S.I.) Chairman, (PHEC) and Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. It was attended by a large number of senior students, Faculty members, ORIC representatives, researchers of the universities and representatives of business communities from all over the country.

During the welcome address, Prof. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali highlighted importance of the Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (OIRCS). He appreciated the role of IPO-Pakistan for promoting IP at national level.

Chairperson IPO highlighted the importance of IP in general and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (GR&TK) in particular. He said that the adoption of the historic international treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Traditional Knowledge by WIPO marks a significant step forward for developing countries in establishing tools that can contribute to prevent or remedy the misappropriation of GRs and associated TK. Resulting from negotiations since 1999, the Treaty mandates the disclosure of the origin or source of GRs and associated TK in patent applications, enhancing transparency of the patent system. IPO-Pakistan, being focal government body to coordinate with WIPO, has forwarded the Treaty to all the concerned public and private stakeholders for comments in a year-long, deep consultative process which includes academia, R&PD institutes and agricultural communities.

Joining the Treaty was important for Pakistan, as Pakistan is a Genetic-Resource rich country with diverse flora and fauna from the mountains of GB to the mangroves of Sindh.  He stressed that Pakistan as an agrarian economy could not afford to ignore the importance of the GRATK Treaty. Pakistan must not allow appropriation of its national Genetic Resource base by others, from DNA of livestock to plant varieties to benefit better IP organized countries. The focus, he emphasized, should be IP-protected innovation in Agric-Tech because self-sufficiency in the era of global food insecurity and Climate Change was critical for National Economic Security. Furthermore, Agric-Tech innovation would pave the way for value addition for the profitable export markets and simultaneously financially empower the local agriculturalists.

Prof. Dr. Iqrar Ahmad khan (H.I., S.I.) gave a comprehensive talk on Redefining Higher Education Through Innovation: The Future Role of Universities in Pakistan. He highlighted importance of IP for protection of Pakistan’s indigenous assets.

Mr. Muhammad Ismail, Director GRTKF, IPO-Pakistan during his detailed 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 Genetic Resources of Pakistan were misappropriated by erroneous grant of patents on traditional products of Pakistan in other countries.

Prof. Tahir Chaudhry, President & CEO, Pakistan Institute of Entrepreneurship discussed in detail the importance of creating a culture of innovation for the youth. He outlined the challenges and opportunities with solutions and agreeing with Chairperson IPO, underscored the critical importance of connectivity of purpose between academia, industry and policy makers.

Prof. Dr. Ahmad Raza Bilal, Director ORIC, University of Sargodha briefed the participants about the role of ORIC Office to encourage IP rights protection and importance of Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) under the umbrella of ORICs for productive research. This was echoed by most speakers including a detailed presentation by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imran Director ORIC at UAF.

The Consultative Session afforded a detailed discussion with a lively Q&A session. The participants gave their valuable inputs. All the participants favoured that Pakistan should join the GRATK Treaty.

Source: https://ipo.gov.pk//node/3103