September 28, 2020 (MLN): The Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) has invited the attention of all stakeholders by stating that the responsibility of promotion and safeguarding the reputation of basmati lies on all and they need to protect it collectively with dedication.
President UNISAME Zulfikar Thaver said that UNISAME is proud of all the state institutions who have rolled up their sleeves to challenge the Indian exclusive geographical indications (GI) tag for basmati to the European Union. The Indian exclusive claim is based on malfides as Indians on several occasions have admitted in world forums that basmati belongs to both India and Pakistan. Some Indian courts have also given judgement in the matter and defined basmati judiciously.
Unisame has received firm commitment from the state institutions of leaving no stone unturned to protect Pakistan's rights and has appealed to all rice exporters to make special efforts to promote the export of basmati rice globally.
Thaver also requested the farmers to grow more basmati and adopt best technology to get best yield to remain competitive.
UNISAME also urged the Intellectual Property Organization ((IPO) and the Registrar Trade Marks to expedite the pending cases and decide in the best interest of justice. The SME union also appealed to the Sindh High Court to take up the matter on top priority basis and conclude in the best interest of justice to enable the stakeholders substantiate their cases based on their fair judgements in world forums.
