Pakistan approves genetically modified corn cultivation

Pakistan has agreed in principle to allow commercial cultivation of genetically modified corn, according to Dawn, subject to safeguards. The decision came at a Monday meeting of a committee chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Current hybrid and organic maize growing will keep going alongside the new crop, the report said.

Officials said the panel will now complete a full transition and implementation framework, drawing on views from government, industry, academia and the seed sector. Members raised worries about the length of the transition, the supply of non-GM seed and the effect on existing businesses. The finance minister asked that the work move beyond drafting policy and focus on practical execution and realistic timelines.

The report adds context: the US government and some American farm suppliers, which hold trial licences, have pressed Pakistan for years to commercialise GM corn, citing output gains of 15-30pc. Pakistan issued trial licences to Corteva and Bayer nearly a decade ago, but later revoked them over biodiversity and seed supply concerns. Local exporters of maize and processed products have opposed the move, pointing to food safety rules and buyer preferences in the EU, Australia, China and New Zealand.