ISLAMABAD, June 13: Red-tapism could deprive Pakistan of losing its ownership rights of ‘super basmati’ rice as India looks set to include the commodity on its Seed Act, which will ultimately result in losses to Islamabad in the shape of reduced market share.

Following the notification of the Indian commerce ministry on May 24, 2006 for allowing export of Super Basmati rice, the Pakistani ministries — commerce, agriculture, Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) — were just passing on responsibilities to one another and no concrete decision was taken so far to challenge the Indian commerce ministry move. “Is it not a part of national interest for the bureaucrats to protect indigenous commodity from being stolen?” questioned rice stakeholders.The Indian commerce ministry had issued a notification amending the Export of Basmati Rice (Quality Control and Inspection) Rules, 2003 to allow export of super basmati from India as an evolved (hybrid) variety. For formal export and local sale of the rice, the agriculture ministry of India was considering it to include it on its Seed Act, which would completely deprive Pakistan of its exclusive rights on the commodity enjoying for last two decades.

“We are still awaiting our government’s response to this development after 18 days of the illegal notification,” a leading basmati exporter on condition of anonymity told Dawn on telephone from Lahore.

While the government keeps mum over the finalisation of the geographical indications (GIs) laws that protect ownership of a certain commodity or produce, he said.

Commerce Secretary Syed Asif Shah told Dawn that his ministry had sought suggestions from the ministry of agriculture and the IPO over the basmati issue. "We are waiting for their responses. Once we get feedback, we will finalise our strategy for tackling the issue with Indian government," the secretary added.

When asked what kind of action could be taken in this regard, he replied that it might be through diplomatic channel or challenging the Indian move in dispute settlement body of the WTO.

Minfal Secretary Muhammad Ismail Qureshi told Dawn that his ministry was fully aware of the issue and examining possible implications. "We would safeguard the interest of the country," he added.