'Within two weeks': Pakistan to challenge Indian move to patent Basmati rice in the EU

In this picture taken on August 31, 2019 flies sit on rice being sold at a market in Karachi. (AFP)

• Pakistan produces a number of varieties of Basmati rice and believes it has a right to an exclusive Geographical Indications tag
• Export of basmati rice from Pakistan increased by 33 percent, overall rice exports surged by seven percent during July-March 2019-20 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to challenge, within two weeks, Indian's request before the European Union for a patent for Basmati rice, the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Trade said  on Wednesday.

Islamabad accuses Delhi of "cheating" its neighbour by applying for an exclusive Geographical Indications (GI) tag for Basmati rice in the European Union (EU) this month.

Mirza Muhammad Afridi said Pakistan produced a wide range of Basmati rice varieties and had the right to apply for a GI tag.

“Hopefully Pakistan will challenge the Indian move in two weeks,” the senate committee chairman said, adding that though Pakistan technically had three months to challenge New Delhi's action, it would do so much sooner. 

Pakistan is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the export of basmati rice from Pakistan increased by 33 percent and overall rice exports surged by seven percent during July-March 2019-20 period.