ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: The government is planning to launch a campaign against violations of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) which are not only damaging country's image, but also acting as a disincentive for foreign investment.

Being a signatory to the WTO and its TRIPs Agreement, Pakistan is under obligation to provide a minimum level of protection to the Intellectual Property Rights.

Adequate protection to Intellectual Property Rights is necessary to promote innovation in the country. Moreover, there is an increasing pressure from other countries that the environment for protection of IPRs in Pakistan should be improved.

According to official sources, Pakistan is upgrading its laws related to Intellectual Property Rights to bring them in conformity with the WTO Agreements.

The Ministry of Interior and the CBR are considering joint initiatives, and appropriate instructions are being passed to the provincial governments and field formations to take strict action for enforcement in the form of raids, seizures etc.

Necessary legal action would also be taken against commercial establishments involved in the sale of such illegal products and the CBR may depute special personnel at various exit points such as airports, seaports, etc., to strictly prevent smuggling of pirated CDs by seizing them and initiating legal proceedings against the offenders. —APP