KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs Directorate of IPR Enforcement (South) destroyed counterfeit goods worth millions of rupees on Tuesday. The goods, which were seized at the border between September 2022 and May 2023, included consumer electronics, footwear, and apparel.
The destruction of counterfeit goods is a positive step for Pakistan’s economy. Counterfeit goods can harm businesses and consumers, and they can also pose a health and safety risk. The Customs Department’s efforts to combat counterfeiting are a welcome development.
Director IPR South, Zeba Azhar talked about the importance of intellectual property protection and enforcement. It mentions that without protection of ideas, businesses and individuals would not thrive or grow on account of their inventions and would focus less on research and development. She also highlighted that countries with a strong representation of trademark owners have established anti-counterfeiting associations. These are membership organizations whose main activities include promoting adequate IPR protection, information gathering and liaison with enforcement agencies.
Intellectual property protection is of utmost importance for Inswing innovation Without protection of ideas, businesses and individuals would not thrive or grim on account of their inventions and would focus less on research and development In those countries where II’ protection and implementation system is strong, it causes to bring creativity as well as innovation and this innovation and creativity plays a great role in changing a nation’s socio-economic fortune. Policymakers around the world arc laying great emphasis on creating a robust IPR regime and an ecosystem that encourages innovation. According to the U.S. Chamber and Customs and Border Protection, counterfeit products cost the global economy over $500 billion a year.
Here are some additional details about the counterfeit goods that were destroyed:
Consumer electronics: The counterfeit consumer electronics included televisions, mobile phones, and laptops.
Footwear: The counterfeit footwear included shoes, sandals, and boots.
Apparel: The counterfeit apparel included clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
The total value of the counterfeit goods that were destroyed is estimated to be in the millions of rupees. The Customs Department has said that it will continue to work to combat counterfeiting and protect intellectual property rights.
Later, an opening ceremony of a gallery was held at the Customs Karachi. This gallery is organized by Zeba Azhar and it houses the counterfeit products along with the original products for easy identification of counterfeit goods.
Director General IPR Muhammad Sadiq, Director General Afghan Transit Wajid Ali, Collectors Mohsin Rafiq, Feroz Alam Junejo, Aamir Thaim and Naima Batool, Director PCA Sheeraz Ahmed, Additional Collectors Javed Sarwer Shaikh, Mushtaq Shahani, Sadia Sadaf, Deputy Collector Madhoomal, Ms. Hania and Mr. Hasan Zaman of M/s Ali & Associates, Ali Rashid of M/s Discover Securities, Javed Hamid Rizvi and Saad Farooq of M/s OSIRIS Consultancy Private Ltd were present on the occasion.
