The government has approved major amendments to Pakistan’s biosafety framework to liberalise import rules for genetically modified organisms and simplify licensing procedures across key regulatory channels. The decision aims to streamline approvals while supporting agricultural and industrial sectors that depend on imported biotech inputs for production and food supply chains.
According to officials, the proposed changes to the Pakistan Biosafety Rules were recommended for cabinet approval during a meeting of the National Biosafety Committee under the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination. The meeting included senior regulators, technical experts and representatives from environmental protection agencies responsible for overseeing biosafety compliance.
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Furthermore, the reforms are expected to significantly impact edible oil and poultry industries, which rely heavily on imported genetically modified soybean and canola for feed and industrial use. The revised framework seeks to ensure continued availability of these commodities while reducing regulatory delays that previously affected import approvals and supply consistency.
One of the key amendments removes the earlier sunset clause introduced in 2024 that had restricted GMO imports until January 17, 2027. As a result, imports of genetically modified grains such as soybean and canola will now continue without a fixed end date, ensuring uninterrupted trade flows for essential agricultural inputs.
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In addition, the government has introduced formal recognition of new gene-editing technologies and expanded approval authority for Institutional Biosafety Committees operating in universities and private research institutions. This change will allow faster approval of student research projects while promoting innovation in biotechnology and genetic science fields across Pakistan.
Moreover, the revised framework also reforms the licensing system for GMO imports by allowing multinational biotechnology companies to directly apply for approvals of specific GMO events. Officials said the overall objective of the reforms is to reduce bureaucratic delays, improve decision-making efficiency and align Pakistan’s biosafety regulations with international scientific and trade standards.