A newly published report by the UK Government, via the British High Commission, has revealed that copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting cost Pakistan’s economy an estimated £2.2 billion (roughly Rs 800 832 billion) in 2023. The findings, developed by the UK Intellectual Property Office and Department for Business & Trade, underscore the urgent need to strengthen Pakistan’s intellectual property (IP) enforcement regime.
The Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) welcomed the UK report, affirming what many in the business community have long claimed: weak IP protections pose serious economic risks.
OICCI Secretary General M. Abdul Aleem stated that strong enforcement of intellectual property rights is not just a legal formality but a critical driver for business confidence and economic growth.
Major Findings & Economic Impact
The report highlights that IP enforcement remains one of Pakistan’s biggest challenges. Copyright piracy, trademark counterfeiting, and related infringements have reportedly led to staggering revenue losses, harmed legitimate businesses, and eroded incentives for innovation.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi Lance Domm emphasized that properly enforced intellectual property rights matter for both investors and creators, pointing to policy dialogue, technical support, and public awareness as necessary tools in this fight.
What Can Be Done & What Needs Attention
The report calls for a comprehensive, intelligence led national IP enforcement strategy, streamlined institutional coordination, and more robust legal frameworks. It urges government agencies to increase technical capacity and resources for inspecting, monitoring, and cracking down on counterfeiting operations.
OICCI and other stakeholders are advocating for stronger public awareness campaigns to alter consumer behaviour around counterfeit goods. They argue that greater enforcement must go hand in hand with educating the public, retailers, and law enforcement about the long term damage IP violations cause.
As the government irons out plans for legal and institutional reform, the outcome of those efforts will be crucial for Pakistan’s ability to attract investment, promote indigenous industry, and protect creators.
