KARACHI, Aug 26: Microsoft Pakistan held an interactive workshop for journalists to raise awareness on the role of media in the fight against software piracy, copyright infringement, a press release by the company stated.

Country General Manager Microsoft Pakistan Kamal Ahmed highlighting the role of media in fight against piracy said software piracy was a big hurdle in the way of progress of our society in general and IT sector in specific.

Quoting the Global PC Software Piracy Study 2007, he said that 84 per cent of the software used in Pakistan was pirated and if this rate was cut down to 66 per cent in the next four years, around 12,000 new jobs would be created in the IT sector.

Oxford University Press Managing Director Ameena Saiyid expressed appreciation over Microsoft’s efforts in creating awareness

Salman Siddiqui, Genuine Software Manager, Microsoft Pakistan said, “Software piracy is a problem world over as it causes losses of over $40 billion annually.

In Pakistan, the productive sector is bearing the brunt of massive use of pirated and untaxed software. A mere 10 per cent decrease in piracy rate in the country can contribute $163 million to GDP and raise $23 million in additional income to the government.

Amar Naseer from Anti Counterfeit and Infringement Forum (ACIF) said, “Piracy discourages the creative elements of society, as they are deprived of the revenues for their hard labour and work.