IP violations cost Rs860bn, finds Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry survey

KARACHI: The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce. Industry (OICCI) has claimed that intellectual property violations are costing the country an estimated Rs860 billion annually in lost revenue and taxes.

The chamber released its latest Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Survey during the visit of IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam to the chamber.

Every six in 10 OICCI member companies participating in the survey, covering eight sectors, said IP rights are partially protected. have further room for improvement under Pakistan’s current laws.

Trademark violations were rated the most prevalent form of infringement. On enforcement. the picture is equally stark: most IP disputes take more than three years to resolve, with the survey revealing that cases rarely reach conclusion in the early stages of the process.

Members rated support from law enforcement agencies including Customs, Police, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as limited. The survey recommends legal reforms aligned with TRIPS. WIPO standards, stronger inter-agency coordination, IP watch-lists at border crossings, and intelligence-led action in high-risk sectors.

IPO-Pakistan Director General Nauman Aslam said strong IPR protection is an economic imperative. These findings reinforce the need for robust institutions, effective inter-agency coordination, and stronger service delivery across the IPR enforcement ecosystem.

IPO-Pakistan, he said, is committed to bridging the enforcement gap and positioning Pakistan as a jurisdiction that values innovation.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2026