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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister orders urgent review of GMO soybean import, policy
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr Musadik Malik, on Monday chaired a high-level committee meeting to review the import and regulatory framework of genetically modified (GMO) soybean meal in Pakistan. According to the official statement, the minister stressed the need for science-based decisions and ordered a comparative study on why Pakistan's soybean yields remain lower than other countries and why locally produced soybean seed and meal are more expensive than imports. The meeting also discussed biosafety risks, including possible gene escape from GMO soybean seed and meal, and highlighted the need for establishing clear safety protocols. A committee, led by Prof Kosar Abdullah Malik, was formed to organise a national conference within ten days to gather expert input for future seed and biotechnology policies. Malik instructed that a comprehensive policy on biosafety, biotechnology, and regulation be finalised and implemented within 90 days to support sustainable agriculture and food security. The review follows the November 2024 government decision allowing GMO soybean imports from the US after a three-year suspension. The approval was granted without conducting risk assessments on 47 gene events under local conditions, as required by Article 15 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. This decision effectively shifted Pakistan's status from non-GMO to GMO, despite previous objections from former prime ministers Nawaz Sharif, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Imran Khan, and Shehbaz Sharif, as well as the Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Environmentalists, farmers, and civil society groups also raised concerns. Critics allege the policy change was influenced by powerful industry players, including a ruling party politician. The National Biosafety Committee, chaired by Secretary Eazaz Aslam Dar, approved licenses for over 42 importers to bring in GMO soybeans with 47 gene events for food, feed, and processing, without required local risk assessments.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
100 agri graduates head to China for training
Listen to article A group of 100 young agricultural graduates will depart for China on Sunday under the Prime Minister's Special Capacity-Building Programme, a key step toward transforming Pakistan's agriculture sector through international learning and technology transfer. The delegation will receive training at Southwest University of Science and Technology, according to a statement by the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR) issued on Saturday. The training is part of a larger initiative that aims to train 1,000 Pakistani agriculture graduates in top Chinese institutions. The goal is to learn from China's advanced, climate-smart, and technology-driven farming practices to improve productivity in Pakistan. A pre-departure ceremony was held today at the MNFSR to bid farewell to the group. Secretary MNFSR Amir Muhyuddin praised the graduates' enthusiasm and stressed the programme's importance. "You are the ambassadors of Pakistan's agricultural future," he said. "This is a transformational opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to uplift our farming landscape." He added that the initiative reflects the prime minister's vision to enhance the agriculture sector through international exposure and modern practices. He urged trainees to stay focused, maintain discipline, and act as goodwill ambassadors between Pakistan and China. Additional Secretary Alam Zaib, Deputy Secretary Shafqat Abbas, and other officials briefed the group on the training modules, objectives, and expected outcomes. They assured continued support during the training period. The programme was launched following the prime minister's visit to the Yangling Agricultural Technology Demonstration Base in June 2024. As per the PM's directives from November, MNFSR was tasked with implementing the programme in three batches in collaboration with HEC, MOFA, MoIT, NITB, and Pakistan's Embassy in Beijing.
Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Deal falls flat as sugar prices stay high
The sugar industry might have cut a deal with the government to sell the sweetener to the wholesalers at Rs165 per kg. However, the effect of this deal has not yet reached people, who are still compelled to buy the commodity at prices ranging from Rs180 to Rs210 per kg. Sugar, mostly extracted in Pakistan from sugarcane, has seen a steady increase in prices in the last 7 monthsfrom Rs140 per kg to Rs200 per kg. According to Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Rauf Ibrahim, mills had stopped supply of sugar on Friday, causing a further hike in prices. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research and sugar mills reached an agreement on Monday, setting the ex-mill price of sugar at Rs165 per kg. "The mills resumed supply of sugar on Tuesday but they are not providing the produce at the agreed price and have set the ex-mill price at Rs175 per kg." He said under the Rs165 ex-mill formula, the wholesale price should be Rs168 and the retail price between Rs172 and Rs175. However, sugar is not available in the wholesale market even at Rs185. Retail Grocers Association Chairman Fareed Qureshi said the retail price of sugar in Karachi was Rs200 per kg on Tuesday. In Lahore, sugar is being sold at the discretion of shopkeepers rather than at government-fixed rates. The official retail price of sugar is Rs180 per kg, but it is being sold for between Rs185 and Rs210. Lahore Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza has directed assistant commissioners and price control magistrates to take action against those selling sugar at inflated rates. However, such actions have proven ineffective. Meanwhile, a high-level meeting on sugar prices was held under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain. The meeting was attended by the chairman and senior members of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) as well as senior officials of the ministry, according to a statement. Important decisions were made to stabilize sugar prices and provide immediate relief to the public. The association agreed to supply sugar at an ex-mill price of Rs165 per kg. The association appreciated the government's efforts and assured full cooperation in stabilizing prices. Officials stated that the impact of price reduction would be seen in the market within the next two to three days. On the occasion, Hussain said that the government is taking all possible steps to provide relief to the people. He made it clear that enforcement of the fixed retail price would be ensured and that hoarding or profiteering would not be tolerated under any circumstances. "A comprehensive strategy has been prepared to ensure uninterrupted supply of sugar, and that the ministry remains in constant contact with the sugar industry to safeguard public interest at all costs," the minister said. Interestingly, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has issued a revised tender stating that, for now, only 50,000 metric tons of sugar will be imported. Bids have been invited until July 22 under this revised tender. Earlier, a tender for 300,000 metric tons was issued with a bid deadline of July 18.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sugar price setat Rs165/kg after free-for-all surge
The government and sugar industry have reached an agreement, setting the ex-mill price of sugar at Rs165 per kilogramme, announced the Ministry of National Food Security and Research on Monday. "All provincial governments will ensure the availability of cheap sugar to the public in light of this decision," said a brief statement issued by the ministry. Last week, the PML-N led federal government approved the import of half a million tonnes of sugar in a bid to maintain affordable prices of the commodity. "The committee approved the import of up to 500,000 metric tons of sugar to ensure a stable supply and maintain affordable prices nationwide," said a statement posted on X. In March, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar noted that retail sugar prices should not exceed Rs164 after the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) warned sugar mills against price manipulation. Dar said that according to news reports, there was a spike in sugar prices to Rs178-179, which, he said, was "obviously not tolerable" to the prime minister. In Lahore, sugar is currently being sold at arbitrary prices, ranging between Rs190 to Rs210 per kg. Citizens complain that sugar is not available anywhere in the city at the official rate-- Rs180 per kg. Since last Friday, sugar mills in Sindh and Punjab have halted sugar supply to the markets, said Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Rauf Ibrahim. He said with supply suspended for the past four days, only stored sugar is currently being sold in Karachi, causing wholesale prices to rise from Rs178180 to Rs182 per kg and retail prices from Rs190195 to Rs200 per kg. Ibrahim criticized the government's lack of interest in cracking down on sugar mill owners and hoarders, warning that this negligence is fueling price hikes. According to sources, a collusion among sugar mill owners is the root cause behind the rising prices. This powerful cartel has historically pressured the government to permit exports under the guise of surplus stock, driving up domestic prices. Between 2015 and 2020, 2.355 million metric tons of sugar were reportedly exported to Afghanistan. However, Afghan government data confirms only 1.5 million tons were received. 778,000 metric tons were smuggled, with no records found for this volume. In past years, 26 mills benefitted from billions in subsidies for exporting 400,000 metric tons of sugar. Documents show sugar mills extracted Rs4.12 billion in subsidies up to 2021. In March, the price was set at Rs140 per kg. After exporting 750,000 tons, it rose to Rs170 per kg. The government then raised the ex-mill price by Rs20, but sugar crossed Rs200/kg in markets. In response, the government decided to import 500,000 tons of sugar. However, post-2021 IMF conditions banned subsidies on sugar exports. The government is now unable to subsidize the industry or fix minimum sugarcane prices, as the IMF demands complete deregulation of the sugar sector.
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cabinet body explores policy steps for cotton
Listen to article Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday emphasised the need for coordinated and actionable steps to restore cotton's central role in the economy and improve returns to farmers. He was chairing the third meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Essential Cash Crops. The committee held detailed discussions on the Cotton Plan 2025-26, focusing on immediate, medium and long-term policy measures essential for revival of Pakistan's cotton sector. The Ministry of National Food Security and Research was directed to convene a follow-up meeting next week by bringing together all relevant public and private-sector stakeholders across the cotton value chain. The ministry will present an actionable implementation plan to the committee to ensure the effective execution of recommendations.
