Customs boosts anti-piracy drive

Published Updated

ISLAMABAD: The Dir­ector General of Customs Enforcement reported a 24 per cent increase in enforcement actions, with 201 Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) forfeiture and seizure cases registered in FY26 compared to 162 cases in the preceding year.

An official announcement from Pakistan Cus­toms’ Directorate General of Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement (IPRE) said that the double-digit growth in the filing of cases demonstrates its continued commitment to combating the trade in counterfeit and pirated goods across Pakistan.

The seized and forfeited goods, with an estimated value of Rs7.7 billion, comprised a wide range of counterfeit products, in­­c­l­u­ding luxury goods, textiles, automobile parts, cos­­metics, footwear, consumer durables, and other trademark-infringing mer­­­chandise.

These enforcement act­ions underscore Pakistan Customs’ resolve to protect consumers, safeguard legitimate businesses, and curb illicit trade through effective border controls.

IPRE Director General Abdul Qadir Memon reaffirmed Pakistan Customs’ commitment to further en­­hancing its enforcem­ent capabilities through continuous capacity building, adoption of modern risk management techni­ques and close collaboration with stakeholders.

He stated that Pakistan Customs will continue to strengthen border enfor­cement measures to effectively prevent the import, export, and transit of counterfeit and pirated goods, thereby protecting consumers.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2026