Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, announced Pakistan’s reinforced commitment to Geographical Indications (GI) during a National Conference on Geographical Indications Awareness, held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focused on promoting and institutionalizing the GI regime as a means to boost exports and protect cultural heritage.
During his keynote address, the Minister underscored that GIs are crucial for more than just intellectual property protection; they are vital for cultural preservation, rural development, and opening new export avenues. He remarked, ‘We stand at a critical juncture where Pakistan can elevate its identity in global markets-not just as a producer of commodities, but as a custodian of quality and heritage.’
Currently, Pakistan has registered 20 GIs, including wellknown products such as Basmati rice and Chilghoza pine nuts, with ongoing applications for international protection in key markets like the European Union. The Minister stressed the importance of creating robust value chains through certification, product specifications, branding, and traceability to ensure significant economic benefits for producers.
The conference brought together stakeholders from federal and provincial governments, development partners, registrants, chambers of commerce, academia, legal experts, and the private sector. The forum aimed to raise awareness of the role of GIs in national development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), enhance institutional coordination, and promote capacity building for GI identification, value addition, and marketing.
Mr. Khan remarked that 200 products have been identified as potential GIs in Pakistan and acknowledged FAO’s support, particularly through the TRIChilgoza project, which has pinpointed four potential GI zones for Chilghoza pine nuts in GilgitBaltistan, North and South Waziristan, Sherani (Balochistan), and Chitral. He highlighted that the GI system can contribute to economic growth, ecological sustainability, and community resilience.
The Minister also revealed that the Ministry of Commerce is working to establish a dedicated GI Registry and is developing a National Geographical Indications Protection Strategy. This strategy will provide a framework for expanding and protecting GI products both domestically and internationally.
In conclusion, the Minister urged all stakeholders to actively participate in consultations and help shape an inclusive, effective GI ecosystem. ‘With the right policies and coordination, GIs can become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s trade and development strategy,’ he asserted.