‘GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) Scene in Pakistan’

Absence of policy framework for GM seeds slated by agricultural
experts

Deliberating on the positives and negatives of permitting
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Pakistan, agricultural experts
partaking in a moot were congruent over the need of devising a comprehensive
and consolidated policy framework having proper rules and regulations to deal
with the import of GM seeds.

The necessity was stressed at a roundtable discussion titled ‘GMO Scene in Pakistan’, which was held at Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad on March 3, 2020. The session was chaired by Executive President IPS Khalid Rahman and addressed by Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, former federal cabinet secretary, Farzana Altaf Shah, director general, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Dr Abdul Rauf Bhutta, former director general, Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department, Dr Muhammad Fahim, associate professor, Islamia College University, Peshawar, and Ijaz Ahmed Siddiqui, president, Agriculture Reform Movement (ARM).

Dr Bhutta, in his opening speech, said though the Seed Act 1976
of Pakistan has no provision for certification of GMOs, the multinational
companies are still being given exemptions for seed import in Pakistan
Biosafety Rules 2005. He was critical of the government departments and
regulatory authorities, stating that national food security was one of the
pillars of sovereignty for any country, but there was no proper risk assessment
sector in Pakistan for the purpose except National Biosafety Committee.

Siddiqui’s talk focused on the need of agriculture development
making use of technological advancements.

Speaking against allowing import of any GMO seeds for food
crops, Siddiqui questioned if GMOs were so environment-friendly and beneficial
for human health, then why their advocates had to use illegal and indirect ways
to put them in the system.

He highlighted various discrepancies and inefficiencies
underscoring the incompetency of government departments, maintaining that many
decisions made over the years pertaining to GMOs were taken against the
country’s interest.

He also criticized the lack of proper regulatory guidelines in
the country, stressing alongside that Pakistan’s regulations and guidelines for
biosafety will also have to show compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety, which Pakistan has ratified.

Dr Fahim pointed out that there were proper check and balance
systems in place in the countries that were using GMOs whereas Pakistan neither
had laboratories nor the expertise for this purpose. He said that he was not
against GMOs, but local laws, practices as well as capacity also needed to be
built first accordingly.

The speaker also criticized the agriculture researchers in
Pakistan, stating that their only objective was to earn a few points for
receiving rewards from Higher Education Commission, and hence their produced
research was not adding any value or utility to local requirements.

Dr Farzana agreed that there was no consolidated policy
regarding GMOs in Pakistan so far despite the need, but mentioned that Pakistan
Environmental Protection Act 1997, National Biosafety Guidelines 2005 and
Biosafety Rules 2005 did address this issue.

She negated the objection of having no biosafety testing labs in
the country and also categorically denied that any GMO seed license was issued
by the National Biosafety Committee.

Dr Farzana appreciated the effort of IPS for conducting a useful
discussion over the GMO issue. She emphasized the need of raising awareness
over the issue, saying that platforms like IPS could be used to identify policy
gaps and provide necessary policy guidelines to address these shortcomings.
“Such interactions involving government representatives and people working in
the field would help policymakers design a strategy that is more practical and
in line with the local needs,” she added.