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"Biotechnology: An instrument for food-reliance"
Bio technology widely discussed in Pakissan seminar.

LAHORE–Biotechnology experts have demanded for the approval of Bio safety guidelines, which is the sole hindrance in the spreading of this technology in the country.

The seminar was organized by agriculture web portal www.pakissan.com on 'Biotechnology: Opportunities and Challenges' here at a local hotel. The website has been launched with the aim of connecting Agri-community for better farming.

Leading experts of biotechnology in the country and representatives of prominent farmers organizations and agri firms attended the function. Prominent among them are former Agriculture Minister Malik Khuda Bukhsh Bucha, Chief Coordinator Farmers Associates of Pakistan (FAP), Idrees Khokher, Presidnet Kissan Board Pakistan Sadiq Khan Khakwani, President Zaraie Insaf Hamid Malhi and others. The seminar was meant to create awareness amongst the masses to make them aware about this important emerging technology.

In his presidential address, Dr Anwar Nasim, Chairman National Commission on Bio Technology said that there were no laws to protect the right of researchers and anybody could have stolen the new seeds, breeds and technologies developed by the domestic scientists. He was greatly concerned about the ongoing campaign against the biotechnology in the country saying “these elements are highly misguided and don’t know what the humanity would have to face otherwise”.

He said that he had drafted bio safety guidelines in 1994 and sent a draft for approval to the government. However, nobody even discussed it before the arrival of Omer Asghar Khan, as the minister for environment. Omer Asghar Khan invited different NGO’s who were opposing the approval of these laws and had their consent in January 2001 and that very law was given final shape. However, it was not less than a pity that same final draft of law was still laying with Baboos of Ministry and any it was yet to rule the field.
Comparing it with other SAARC member countries he said that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India has already given its approval, while we are still waiting for such node.

No biotechnology development could be released for the general farmers in the absent of these laws which are meant to govern the technology, he said while throwing light on the importance of these laws.

He said that Pakistan has done a lot in the field of biotechnology but an emphatic handshake between the research institutions and commercial organizations was a must to capitalize the gains made in research front, he added.

He said that there would be no foreign investment and other activities by any of the multi national company in the agriculture until and unless these laws made effective in the country. Many multi national companies are shying away from expanding their business or releasing their product in this country in the absence of such protective laws, he added.

He said that Pakistan was also bound under the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime to finalize these laws by December 2000 for the protection of the research patents of different varieties of commodities developed locally. Nobody could have dare to get register Basmati in his name in the USA, should the bio protection laws are in field in Pakistan, he added.

Dr Yusuf Zafar of National Institute of Bio Technology and Genetic Engineering (Nibge) presented his views on national program on biotechnology at Nibge to highlight that what his institution was contributing towards the development of this technology in the country. He said that such a joint venture was discussed during the Shahbaz Sharif government with a multi national company, which was ready bring in new technology yet the company went back observing that there was no law of land present to govern this industry.

He said that he was astonished to know that biotechnology has been declared as the top priority of the country and what heed was being paid to this sector so far.
He said that Pakistan could have great benefit from this technology, should it has been done through the planned manners. He said that both the information and biotechnologies have great role to play in the future development of this country.

He said that those who are opposing this technology should have told us that how we would able to cater the day by day increasing population of the country where the semi starvation is already making the health of the individuals bad to worst.

Former Agriculture Minister Malik Khuda Bukhsh Bucha concluding the discussion highlighted the difficulties of agriculturists of Pakistan and stressed the need of redressing them same through collective efforts.

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