From paper-based to digital: IPO Pakistan poised for major transformation
19 May 2026
Sana Shaikh Fikree | a counsel @ Vellani & Vellani, Karachi
The Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO Pakistan) is in the thick of a six-month transformation program that will see the office installing tools and implementing processes that will enable it to move from paper-based workflows to digital systems.
Part of this initiative is an online complaint system, which was recently launched. Information regarding the system has been relayed to the 15 major chambers of commerce, which collaborate with IPO Pakistan in delivering IP-related services. Also in the pipeline are tools for automation and artificial intelligence, which will improve registration systems and the quality of examination, as well as speed up delivery of services, among others.
For Sana Shaikh Fikree, a counsel at Vellani & Vellani in Karachi, this is a welcome and much‑needed shift within what she terms as “Pakistan’s traditionally opaque IP infrastructure.”
“I warmly commend these efforts, which are both pivotal and long overdue. At the same time, it is important to recognize the practical challenges that may arise during implementation,” said Fikree. “A six-month timeline, while ambitious and inspiring, could prove demanding for a system that has relied on paper-based processes for decades. True digitalization requires more than the installation of new tools; it also calls for a cultural shift in working practices and comprehensive training for the workforce. If timelines are too compressed, there is a risk of creating systems that appear impressive on paper but struggle to deliver reliability in practice,” she explained.
She said the launch of an online complaint management system, however relevant, requires the integration of all relevant enforcement agencies for it to achieve its full potential.
“Setting aside any scepticism, I have confidence in IPO’s intent to deploy the required tools and measures. For this initiative to flourish and bring forth a robust IP system within Pakistan, IPO may wish to complement its technological rollout with sustained capacity-building measures. Adequate training of staff, integration of enforcement bodies into the digital framework and continuous stakeholder engagement will be essential to guarantee that the new systems are not only functional but also trusted and widely adopted,” said Fikree.
- Espie Angelica A. de Leon
