By National News Desk
Islamabad:
Pakistan has agreed to register Himalayan pink salt as a Geographical Indication (GI) in order to avoid its illegal use by other countries.
A GI tag is a sign used for goods which have a particular geographical origin and are of origin-based quality and reputation in the region.
The precious salt is extracted from the Punjab Salt Range, which stretches south of the Potohar Plateau and north of the Jhelum River.
The decision was taken at a meeting with the Pakistan Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) chaired by Trade Adviser Razak Dawood. IPO Chairman Mujeeb Ahmed Khan also participated in the meeting, the Dawn newspaper reported on Friday.
An official announcement said that during the meeting, GI registration of products from various regions of Pakistan was discussed. The move aims to curb unauthorised use of Pakistan’s GI by other countries.
Pink Himalayan salt is said to be loaded with minerals that are beneficial to health.
Pakistan is fighting a case in the 27-member European Union against India’s move to get Basmati rice registered as its product.
“We decided that, after registration of rice, pink salt from the Salt Range mountains of Pakistan will be registered as GI,” the adviser said, adding that this will encourage and motivate our producers to expand their business at a global level.
For this, a registrant would be designated with the approval of the Cabinet. Similarly, a list of other products on a priority basis will be pursued.
“We urge our business community to identify and inform IPO of other products that can be registered as GI in order to protect them for realising their export potential,”Dawood said.
The commerce adviser expressed satisfaction at the progress made and reiterated the importance of GI registration for various products.
The registration of GI products will serve as a potential economic tool to promote and enhance national and international trade of Pakistan.
Speedy registration will protect GIs of Pakistan and eradicate the possibility of violation of these products, the adviser said.
He further advised the commerce ministry to double its efforts for registration of potential products as GI on a priority basis, it said.
In January, Pakistan received the GI tag for its Basmati, paving the way for creating a local registry for the particular strain of rice and making a case in the international market, as the country fights a case in the EU against India’s move to get Basmati rice registered as its product.