GMO corn approval poses grave threat to farmers, food, economy: experts

LAHORE: A unilateral move to approve the cultivation of genetically modified (GMO) corn in Pakistan has triggered deep alarm and anger across agricultural circles, with farmers, scientists, exporters, processors, academia and agriculture experts warning that the decision amounts to a “suicide attack on food security, human health and a multi-billion dollar export industry. ” At a national representative meeting here at Lahore Chamber on Sunday, which was organised by Zarai Ittehad Pakistan (ZarPak), stakeholders from across Pakistan unanimously declared that the proposed recommendation to allow GMO corn cultivation could prove devastating for Pakistan’s agriculture, economy and public health, and will push the country’s farming sector into a blind alley. The meeting was addressed by leading figures including Farooq Bajwa, President Basmati Growers Association; Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President Pakistan Kissan Ittehad; Rizwanullah Khan, Vice President Kissan Board Pakistan from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Dr Obaidur Rehman, pioneer of local seed R&D; Dr Anwarul Haq, seed sector expert; Fazeel-ur-Rehman, CEO leading starch processor, Dr Hashim Popalzai, former secretary Ministry of National Food Security; Taufiq Ahmed, former senior vice chairman Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan; Ahad Sardar, exporter of locally developed seeds; Ijaz Siddiqui, President Agriculture Reforms Movement; Farooq Tariq, Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee; Dr Azeem Iqbal, Chairman Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture Faisalabad; Saim Rashid, President Agrarian Association of Pakistan; Rao Ijaz Ahmed, progressive farmer; Mian Azhar, Yasir Jan Khan Mullaizai, progressive farmer; Shafiqur Rehman, central leader Pakistan High Tech Hybrid Seed Association; and Chaudhry Bilal Ahmed, former chairman Seed Association of Pakistan. Chairing the meeting, progressive farmer leader Farooq Bajwa said “Basmati rice is Pakistan’s golden jewel, earning over one billion dollars in exports annually. GMO corn is a highly cross-pollinating crop and it will destroy the non-GMO character of Basmati. Our identity in European and international markets depends on it being GMO-free. Once contamination occurs, we will lose our export markets forever. ” He warned that the decision could break the backbone of the national economy. Khalid Khokhar, President, PKI rejected approval of GMO maize on what he called behest of international powers and IMF. He said our maize yield is already double the Indian output, and comparable to USA yield. He stressed that there is no need to go for GMO maize cultivation. Participants rejected the government’s consultation process as “dubious and non-transparent. ” They said the committee headed by the Federal Finance Minister invited only multinational companies, while completely ignoring Pakistan’s locally registered organizations, farmers and the domestic seed industry. Farmers termed it a “conspiracy to establish foreign monopoly, ” saying it would hand over Pakistan’s agriculture to a few international corporations and wipe out the local seed industry. Experts with decades of experience in agriculture and biotechnology said introducing GMO corn at a commercial level, given the risks of bio-safety, bio-security and bio-terrorism, would amount to a potential suicidal step against national security. They cautioned that dependence on imported GMO corn seed is also dangerous for national security. If seed supplies are disrupted for any reason, it could lead to food shortages across the country and put national security at grave risk. Speakers also pointed out that Pakistan has already achieved tremendous success in local hybrid corn research and development, with yields now exceeding 100 maunds per acre, raising serious questions about the need for GMO corn. Dr. Anwarul Haq and other scientists said “by sidelining local scientists and researchers, the government has prioritized a foreign agenda, which is a grave mistake. ” At the conclusion, the meeting unanimously passed a resolution warning the government to immediately halt implementation of recommendations on GMO corn as all stakeholders including farmers, local seed industry, scientists and exporters were not taken into confidence; conduct an independent and transparent assessment of the impacts of GMO corn on human health, environment, economy and exports; and if the government ignores farmers and experts, the entire agriculture sector will launch large-scale protests on every platform, given the boundless negative consequences. The meeting made it clear this is not just an agricultural policy decision but tantamount to playing with Pakistan’s future. Speakers stressed that if GMO corn is not stopped today, Pakistan’s agricultural future will not be secure tomorrow, and future generations will pay the price for this wrong decision. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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