Govt taking steps to overcome power shortages: Gilani
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said the government is taking steps to overcome power shortages with the same determination with which it achieved self-sufficiency in wheat production. Addressing National Conference on Intellectual Property Rights here, the Prime Minister said that 2,000 megawatts to the national power grid would be added this year, which would be equal to the electricity added last year.
He said the government is focusing on short, medium and long term measures to fulfill energy needs of Pakistan.
He said he would soon lay foundation stone of Diamer Bhasha Dam and Thar Coal Project as part of efforts to rid the country of electricity shortages.
He reminded that before their government came there was flour shortage.
The government raised the support price of wheat to Rs. 950 per 40 kg for farmers, he said adding despite the floods last year, Pakistan produced surplus wheat and now it is able to export the commodity.
Gilani said the present problems would not have persisted if the previous government had taken steps during its nine years.
Due to policies of the government, foreign exchange reserves have risen to $ 17.5 billion, foreign remittances have increased to $ 11 billion and Karachi Stock Exchange index has crossed 12000 points, he noted.
The Prime Minister said the politicians who were in a hurry to come into government should show restraint.
No party can overcome challenges of the country single handedly, he remarked.
He said the political leadership of the country should work together to resolve issues.
Gilani said politicians are not like film stars that are changed to create good films. “Politicians come through a process and mature with time.”
He assured that the government had made progress in bringing BT cotton to the country to increase per acre yield.
During visits to China and Uzbekistan, Pakistani leadership held talks on introducing new agriculture varieties in Pakistan, he added.
He said the government will implement the recommendations of the conference on protecting and promoting intellectual property rights.
The Prime Minister said, “we have firm belief that protection of intellectual property rights is everyone’s responsibility, as counterfeit goods negatively affect the society.”
The government looses enormous revenue when counterfeiters sell their goods in black market, he added.
The Prime Minister said, “Ever since cutting-edge advances in modern biotechnology, space technology and information technology, their absorption in national policies have become essential thus making the issues of intellectual property rights more significant.  As a result, new models of the innovation chain have begun to emerge.”
He said it is a known fact that innovative technologies are tools for creating a real global society and the intellectual property system plays a primary role in this linking process.
Gilani said intellectual property rights gear towards promoting the sharing of information - such as the wealth of technological processes.
“In fact green innovation promotes the cooperation required to meet the gigantic global challenges, such as climate change and ever growing energy needs, confronting us all,” he said adding global economic development in terms of economic openness has been increasing and is leading to eminent changes in international economic integration and this results in higher level of trade across borders.
The Prime Minister said this integration within the global economy is a process that has already gained momentum with the explosion of knowledge.    
“Intellectual property therefore is increasingly being recognized as a powerful tool for entrepreneur development in the competitive environment. Intellectual Property is an important factor in worldwide economic growth and development and in all knowledge and technology based industries and businesses.”
In these countries, he said rapid knowledge creation, including the emergence of new technologies, resulted in policy changes regarding intellectual property and adoption of new intellectual asset management policies which reinforced this growth.
These encouraging models of development strongly suggest that a healthy IP system is a key in attracting much needed foreign direct investment, Gilani said adding empowering the society with knowledge of potential socio-economic value of intellectual property is essential for completing the innovation chain. 
The Prime Minister said protection of intellectual property rights stimulate and ensure innovations and creativity.
Failure to protect intellectual property rights seriously stifle innovation and creativity and hamper economic growth and investment, he added.
The Prime Minister said it is thus necessary not only to enhance basic awareness but also to constantly upgrade legislation, strengthen infrastructural capabilities and fill in the gaps that still remain in these areas.
“We believe that weak intellectual property rights protection makes it nearly impossible for artists, inventors and creators to have rights over the use of their creations.”
“Everyone has a stake in protecting intellectual property rights - the creator has a right to reap the financial benefits of his inventions; the consumers deserve to know that the product they are buying or what their children are ingesting is safe and genuine; and companies need the stability in their operations and protection of their rights in order to justify their investments,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the government being fully cognizant of the interests of creators, business community, consumers and its national and international commitments, established Intellectual Property Organization as an integrated IP management body.
“It is heartening to note that performance and achievements of IPO-Pakistan during its short span of existence is highly commendable in protection of IP rights and enforcement coordination to wage a war against unfair trade practices,” he added.
Gilani said, “We are committed to improve our image in the comity of nations as a responsible and IP compliant nation. We are determined to strengthen our laws and penalties to curb counterfeiting and piracy. We would transform our weakness into our strengths to catch up with the developed countries.”
“We cannot acquire new technologies and innovations and attract foreign direct investment in the country unless we assure fair business practices,” he observed.
The Prime Minister said, “in order to achieve these cherished goals and objectives, we need to explore new avenues for disseminating clear and accurate information to the public.”
He expressed confidence that IPO-Pakistan will continue its commitment to wage a crusade against piracy and infringement of IP rights in the national interest with the cooperation of media, stakeholders, business community, intelligentsia, and enforcement agencies.
Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice Shakirullah Jan, Chairman IPO-Pakistan Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi, former governor State Bank Dr.  Ishrat Hussain and Chief Executive Officer Pakistani Tobacco Company Nicholas Stewart Hales in their speeches shed light on various aspects of intellectual property rights.
Justice Shakirullah Jan said the courts have pronounced decisions to protects rights of investors, inventors and consumers.
He underlined the need for creating more public awareness and training of judicial officers for effective enforcement of laws on intellectual property.
CEO Pakistan Tobacco Company Nicholas Stewart underscored the importance of establishing a credible enforcement regime for protecting branded products and increasing government revenue.
He said counterfeited products are an obstacle in the way of Pakistan’s economic progress and growth.