Pakistan Farmers Sound Alarm Over Proposed GMO Corn Approval

Farmers and experts in Pakistan are sounding the alarm over the proposed approval of genetically modified (GMO) corn cultivation in the country. At a recent meeting in Lahore, stakeholders from across Pakistan expressed deep concern that allowing GMO corn could be a 'suicide attack on food security, human health, and export industry.'

The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Farooq Bajwa, President of Basmati Growers Association, who warned that GMO corn would destroy the non-GMO character of Pakistan's prized Basmati rice. 'Basmati rice is our golden jewel, earning over one billion dollars in exports annually,' he said.

Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, President of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, rejected the approval of GMO maize, calling it a 'behest of international powers and IMF.' He pointed out that Pakistan's maize yield is already double that of India's and comparable to the US.

Farmers and experts criticized the government's consultation process as 'dubious and non-transparent,' saying that only multinational companies were invited while local seed industry, farmers, and domestic seed sector were ignored. They warned that introducing GMO corn at a commercial level would be a potential 'suicide step against national security.'

The meeting passed a resolution urging the government to halt implementation of recommendations on GMO corn and conduct an independent assessment of its impacts on human health, environment, economy, and exports.