Intellectual property violations cost Pakistan PKR 860B a year, OICCI survey finds

Pakistan loses an estimated PKR860 billion annually in revenue and taxes due to intellectual property rights violations, according to the latest IPR Survey released by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The findings were presented during a visit by IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam to the Chamber. The survey covers eight sectors and assesses both the state of IP protection and enforcement challenges across the country.

How much do IPR violations cost Pakistan each year?

Pakistan loses around PKR860 billion annually due to intellectual property rights violations, according to OICCI's latest survey. Six in ten member companies believe IP rights are only partially protected under existing legal frameworks. Trademark infringement is the most widespread form of violation across sectors surveyed.

The survey also flags serious enforcement delays, with IP-related disputes typically taking more than three years to resolve. Cases rarely conclude at early stages of legal proceedings, creating a significant deterrent for foreign investors.

Respondents rated the support provided by enforcement agencies, including Customs, the Police and the Federal Investigation Agency, as limited and insufficient to deter violations effectively.

What does the OICCI IPR Survey recommend for Pakistan?

The survey calls for legal and institutional reforms aligned with TRIPS and World Intellectual Property Organization standards. It also recommends stronger coordination between agencies, the development of IP watch-lists at border entry points, and intelligence-driven enforcement in high-risk sectors. These measures are presented as essential to closing the gap between existing law and on-the-ground enforcement.

IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam said strong IPR protection is an economic necessity, not a regulatory formality. "These findings reinforce the need for robust institutions, effective inter-agency coordination, and stronger service delivery across the IPR enforcement ecosystem," he said. "IPO-Pakistan is committed to bridging the enforcement gap and positioning Pakistan as a jurisdiction that values innovation."

What does the OICCI survey mean for foreign investment in Pakistan?

OICCI Secretary General M. Abdul Aleem said the findings expose persistent structural challenges in Pakistan's IP regime and their direct impact on investor confidence. "Foreign investors want to operate in an environment where their brands, products, and innovations are protected and where disputes can be resolved in a reasonable timeframe," he said.

He described the PKR860 billion annual loss as a figure that "warrants close attention" from policymakers and enforcement agencies.

Aleem urged both policymakers and enforcement bodies to treat the findings as a constructive basis for collaboration with the private sector. The Chamber expressed hope that the survey would serve as a practical reference for policy action. The broader goal, it said, is to help build a more secure and innovation-friendly business climate in Pakistan.