The commerce secretary is currently holding the acting charge of IPO chairperson. — Photo courtesy IPO website
ISLAMABAD: With the battle over Geographical Indication (GI) rights for basmati rice between India and Pakistan entering a new phase, the Intellectual Property Organisation (IPO) is a rudderless ship functioning without any management at this crucial juncture.
For the last one year, the government has failed to appoint a director general (DG) of the IPO. Last month, IPO chairman Mujeeb Ahmed too retired. The Ministry of Commerce has not even initiated the advertisement process to hire a new head for the organisation. A senior official of the IPO said the average time for the appointment of the chairman is three months after the release of the advertisement.