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FY 2026-27
Legal guide to Geographical Indications in Pakistan under GI Act 2020. Learn how Basmati, Pink Salt, and regional goods gain global export protection.
By Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi · 8 September 2026
Author Note / Last Updated: Updated September 2026 by Syed Asad Hussain Zaidi | Advocate High Court | Professional Tax Consultant
In international trade, consumer loyalty and premium pricing are increasingly tied to the authentic geographical origin of a product. Just as Champagne can only originate from the Champagne region of France and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese must come from designated provinces in Northern Italy, the soil, climate, and traditional craftsmanship of Pakistan produce commodities and artisanal goods that cannot be replicated anywhere else on earth.
For decades, however, Pakistan suffered catastrophic economic losses due to the absence of a domestic legal framework to protect its indigenous heritage.
Foreign repackagers routinely bought Pakistani raw rock salt from Khewra at nominal commodity rates, processed it abroad, and sold it in Europe and North America as "Himalayan Pink Salt" at a 1,000% markup without crediting Pakistan. Even more alarming, foreign competitors repeatedly attempted to file international trademarks and exclusive origin claims over Basmati Rice in the European Union, threatening Pakistan's multi-billion dollar rice export industry.
That vulnerability ended when Pakistan enacted the Geographical Indications (Registration and Protection) Act, 2020.
Administered by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan), this statute establishes an enforceable legal framework to register, certify, and defend Pakistan's national geographical treasures.
This 2026 legal guide explains how the GI framework operates, how exporters can secure official status as an Authorized User, and how Pakistani businesses can leverage GI certification to command premium export margins.
Under Section 2(n) of the GI Act, 2020, a Geographical Indication is defined as an indication that identifies a good as originating in the territory of a country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
A GI protects three distinct categories of indigenous goods:
| Feature | Geographical Indication (GI) | Trademark | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Ownership | Collective Public Right (Held in trust by an association, chamber, or statutory body) | Private Commercial Right (Owned exclusively by one individual or corporate entity) | | Function | Certifies that the product originated in a specific region and meets strict cultural/terroir standards | Identifies a specific enterprise as the commercial source of the product | | Licensing | Any local producer who meets the geographical and quality criteria has a right to be an Authorized User | Owner can license or assign the mark at their sole private discretion | | Transferability | Non-transferable: Cannot be sold, mortgaged, or transferred outside the territory | Fully transferable, assignable, and franchisable |
Since the enactment of the GI Act in 2020, IPO-Pakistan has processed and registered several high-profile national assets:
`| Geographical Indication | Statutory Registrant | Demarcated Territory & Unique Characteristics | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Basmati Rice (GI No. 1) | Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) | Historic Indus basin Punjab rice-growing tract; protected for unique aroma, grain elongation, and taste. | | Pink Himalayan Salt | Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) | Salt Range deposits (Khewra, Kalabagh, Warcha); protected for ancient mineral profile and distinctive pink hues. | | Sindhri & Chaunsa Mangoes | Growers' Associations & Export Bodies | Orchards of Mirpurkhas, Hyderabad, and Multan; protected against adulterated, artificially ripened counterfeits abroad. |
Registered in the name of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) as the statutory Registrant, GI No. 1 legally defines the aromatic long-grain rice grown in the traditional cultivation zones of Punjab and Sindh. This registration serves as the legal bedrock for Pakistan’s ongoing defense of its Basmati export markets in the European Union and the United Kingdom against unilateral foreign claims.
Registered by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), this GI certifies mineral salt extracted from the subterranean seams of the Salt Range (Khewra, Warcha, and Kalabagh). This registration prohibits international brands from marketing table salt as "Himalayan Pink Salt" unless it physically originates from these Pakistani mines.
The GI Act operates through a distinct two-tier governance structure designed to protect the public interest:
| GI Tier | Entity Role | Statutory Rights & Responsibilities | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | The Registrant | Statutory Body or Association (e.g. TDAP, PMDC, sector chambers) | Holds the collective legal title in trust; establishes technical specification book; supervises quality and enforcement. | | The Authorized User | Individual producer, farmer, miller, processor, or artisan | Certified to use the protected GI name and seal on qualifying goods produced within the demarcated geographic area. |`
Under Section 11, any organization, government department, statutory authority, or registered association representing the interests of producers can apply to register a GI. The Registrant does not hold a private commercial monopoly; it holds the title in trust for all producers in the defined territory.
An individual grower, processor, or export company cannot register the GI in their own private name. Instead, they apply to IPO-Pakistan to become an Authorized User under Section 18. Once registered, the Authorized User has the exclusive right to use the protected GI name and affix the official GI Pakistan Certification Logo to their export cartons and retail packaging.
For Pakistani rice millers, salt processors, fruit exporters, and handicraft cooperatives, obtaining an Authorized User Certificate from IPO-Pakistan is essential for accessing premium export markets.
| Step | Phase | Procedural Actions | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | 1 | Territorial Verification | Verify production originates within legally demarcated geographic boundaries via revenue/land records. | | 2 | Quality Compliance | Conform to approved technical specifications (grain length, mineral composition, aroma, craftsmanship). | | 3 | Form GI-2 Application | Submit application on Form GI-2 to IPO-Pakistan with Registrant endorsement and audit credentials. | | 4 | Inspection Scrutiny | Undergo inspection by independent certification bodies verifying origin and supply chain integrity. | | 5 | User Certificate | Receive official Authorized User Certificate granting 10-year renewable right to affix the "GI Pakistan" seal. |
The applicant must submit documentary evidence demonstrating that their farming acreage, mining lease, or manufacturing workshop is physically located within the defined statutory boundary established in the official GI registration book.
Each registered GI has an official Book of Specifications detailing:
Submit Form GI-2 (Application for Registration as an Authorized User) to the Geographical Indications Registry at IPO-Pakistan, accompanied by:
Following verification by the Inspection Body, the Registrar enters the applicant's name into the Register of Authorized Users and issues the formal Certificate of Registration as Authorized User.
Securing an Authorized User GI registration transforms a generic bulk commodity into a certified, high-value origin brand:
Under Chapter VIII of the GI Act, 2020, misusing a registered GI is a serious legal offense subject to both civil lawsuits and criminal prosecution.
Disclaimer: This guide is prepared for educational and business informational purposes. Geographical Indications regulations, territorial demarcations, and certification procedures involve statutory compliance. Consult an Advocate High Court or specialized IP practitioner for formal representation before the Geographical Indications Registry.
Legal & Statutory Notice: The information provided in this publication is for general educational, academic, and statutory informational purposes only under the relevant laws of Pakistan (including the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the Companies Act, 2017, and the Trade Marks Ordinance, 2001). This content does not constitute formal legal, financial, or tax advice. For specific assessments, consult a licensed Advocate or qualified tax professional.
