January 20, 2006	Friday	Zilhaj 19, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 19: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan directed the authorities concerned to work for making the province a model with regard to Intellectual Property Rights.

He said that in this way the interest of renowned artists, poets, writers, singers of the province would be safeguarded.

Dr Ibad issued these directives, when a delegation of Overseas Chamber of Commerce and Industries called on him at the Governor’s House on Wednesday.

He asked the authorities concerned to prepare a strategy on IPR and to take appropriate steps on priority basis for its proper implementation.

Dr Ibad said that ensuring the implementation of IPR should not be construed as benefiting the multinational companies.

“Such an impression should be dispelled as these measures would help our legends, who could also be compensated by it through payment of royalties,” he said.

Safeguarding the IPR would also bring about remarkable improvement in the IT sector, Dr Ibad added.

He briefed the delegation on various ongoing development projects in Karachi with reference to the road sector.

Dr Ibad said that three main roads Sharea Faisal, the road from SITE Area to airport and the University Road had been planned to be made signal free.

He also discussed the ongoing sanitation programme and said that steps were being taken to outsource garbage removing system besides arranging mechanized sanitation in the city.

“The efforts for mechanized sanitation were going on and the city government has just received 30 vehicles from Turkey to begin mechanized sanitation in next 15 days,” he told.—PPI/APP