1/7. Thank you @mahwishafridi @anilafatima2. This is the 2nd time I will take full credit for “my” GI law, ( as well as “my” e-commerce draft, also approved now) a dream since 2006 & it’s finally come true. The 1st time I read the GI draft in 2006, it was for 1 province & 1 lobby
2/7. Our team, led by Mujeeb Ahmed Khan, now Chair of @IPOPakistan , Barrister #NadiaShah & I redrafted this entire law painstakingingly from 2016- 2017. We struggled to protect this law from vested interests who wanted to change it to benefit their family n friends
3/7. I must also acknowledge & thank the Hon. SECY Commerce @ansukhera for his full support to this legislation & working behind the scene to ensure this becomes a bipartisan issue and bill. In addition, team @IPOPakistan has also done a brilliant job.
4/7. In addition to the draft text of bill, we’ve also been working on the rules- which are very different from any other law or IP law; the “code of practice” / “rules” are different in that it is specific for each and every GI product or service.
5/7. The bill, when redrafted was done to recognize & protect the GI’s of 🇵🇰 on the basis of the public interest, econ reform, & development of the least developed areas of Pakistan. The main idea: to enable creative activities & + exploitation of IPRs.
6/7. The law has the ability to kick-starting a production cycle ( per GI product) to build a viable supply chain. While pink salt / Himalayan salt is a big media issue, the law will also address issues rural migration problems & loss of local artisanal industry
7/7 Finally, it will also provide a suitable legal and institutional framework for the registration of GI’s, this law will eventually lead to sound trading & marketing environment that can facilitate ease of business & trade.
