Every brilliant idea deserves a chance to change the world.
Today, Pakistan took a pivotal step to transform these ideas into economic growth by joining the Inventor Assistance Program (IAP). The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) and WIPO launched the initiative in Islamabad, opening doors for enterprising inventors with transformative innovations to reach their full potential.
Chairperson of IPO-Pakistan, Ambassador (R) Farukh Amil, stressed that Pakistan, given its immense natural and human resources, has to develop a culture of innovation, research & product development beyond mere words. Awareness of financial empowerment through “intellectual property is no longer a peripheral concern – it’s a vital component of national development and in the context of an agrarian economy, with a growing population, IP-protected agri-tech inventions are essential for the national economic security.” And the IAP will be a big step towards achieving this goal, added the Chairperson.
The IAP empowers innovators, connecting them with volunteers who help them navigate the patent system at no cost. Local inventors will be able to protect their inventions in Pakistan, and in select other countries. This support system ensures great ideas can be properly protected and brought to market, harnessing innovation that might otherwise remain untapped.
“With the IAP launch, we’re investing in Pakistan’s most valuable resource – its innovators,” said Allison Mages, Head of IP Commercialization Section at WIPO. “This partnership equips inventors with the patent expertise needed to protect their innovations and bring them to market. Each supported innovation represents potential jobs and progress.”
Pakistan’s commitment to nurturing local talent and innovation takes concrete form in this partnership, as the country becomes the tenth to join the IAP alongside Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, Morocco, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore and South Africa. The Program is expanding beyond patent drafting to include critical commercialization guidance.
This initiative comes at an ideal time. According to the Global Innovation Index 2024, Pakistan is performing above expectations for its level of development. With a 14 percent annual increase in resident patent applications over the past decade, the country’s innovation ecosystem is ready to benefit from the support the IAP provides.
The Islamabad launch event featured inventors and innovation business representatives sharing success stories alongside insights from patent agents registered as IAP volunteers. The Program moves into action immediately with a hands-on workshop in Karachi on April 9, 2025, where local volunteers will provide direct support to potential Program beneficiaries, helping them navigate the patent system and begin their journey toward protecting their innovations.
Pakistani inventors can now apply for IAP support through the multilingual IAP Online Platform, which operates in both English and Urdu. The Program represents a significant step toward building Pakistan’s innovation future, turning today’s ideas into tomorrow’s economic engines.