Farmers, exporters threaten nationwide protests over GMO maize plan

Farmers, exporters, scientists and seed companies have threatened countrywide demonstrations if the government goes ahead with growing genetically modified maize on a commercial scale, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. The objections were raised at a Sunday meeting in Lahore, held at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) under the Zarai Ittehad Pakistan (ZarPak) platform. Participants cited risks to exports, the local seed industry and biosecurity.

Rice exporters and Basmati growers warned that non-GMO supply chains serving European and other markets could be disrupted, putting trade worth more than $1 billion at risk. Farooq Bajwa, head of the Basmati Growers Association, said the country's standing abroad depends on keeping its produce free of GMO traits. Pakistan Kissan Ittehad president Khalid Mahmood Khokhar questioned the need for GMO maize, saying domestic yields are already high and pests and diseases pose no clear threat.

Seed industry representatives warned that heavier dependence on imported GMO seed could hurt local companies, while scientists raised biosecurity concerns about possible disruptions to foreign supplies. Stakeholders also criticised the consultation process, saying a federal committee led by the finance minister had engaged multinational firms while leaving out farmer organisations and locally registered seed bodies. Attendees unanimously opposed commercial-scale cultivation and repeated the warning of nationwide protests.