Discretionary powers of DG Pak-EPA clipped, lab research facilitated, licensing process simplified

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd May, 2026) Pakistan took critical steps to deregulate its GMO regime, upgrade its Biosafety Rules of 2005, and clip the discretionary powers of DG Pak-EPA and the various committees constituted to regulate the safe and beneficial use of genetically modified organisms in the industrial sector for Food, Feed, and Processing (FFP).

In the meeting of the NBC held last week, amendments to the Pakistan Biosafety Rules of 2005 were recommended for presentation before the Cabinet for approval, said a press release.

New amendments will have consequential effects on the edible oil and poultry industry in the country, which rely heavily on imported GMO soybean and canola Under the proposed amendments, the sunset clause on the import of GMO grains, including soybean and canola, has been removed.

The sunset clause, which was imposed in 2024, allowed imports of GMOs for food, feed, and processing purposes till the cutoff date of January 17, 2027. The new amendments proposed the deletion of the sunset clause, as the risk factor has subsided. The amendments acknowledge new gene technologies and gene editing methods.

The amendments have also delegated powers of approval of student-based laboratory research initiatives to the Institutional Biosafety Commit ees (IBCs) at research institutions of universities and in the private sector. The purpose of this amendment is to promote science-based research by giving more autonomy to research institutes.

Pakistan’s biosafety regime consists of a multiple-tier committee system to ensure compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The new amendments have incorporated changes in the structure and the decision-making powers of the committees to cut through the bureaucracy and ensure timely decision-making.

Committee memberships have been formalised and structured to ensure permanent inclusion of technically-sound people on these forums. Even the NBC, the highest decision-making forum, has been held accountable in case of inordinate delays by making it mandatory under the rules to record the reasons of the delay in writing if decisions are delayed beyond a time limit.

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The NBC has also introduced reforms in the licensing process of the GM grains being imported by aligning it with international best practices. The current licensing regime is riddled in a multi-tiered bureaucratic system and prone to misuse of authority both at the IBC and the Pak-EPA level.

The new licensing regime will significantly accelerate the process of grant of licenses. Under the existing regime, private sector had to apply through a multi-tier system of committees with non-verified data with allegations of corruption on each tier. Under the new reforms, the process has been simplified and the discretionary powers of DG Pak-EPA have been eliminated.

As per international best practices, the original technology developers, which are multinational corporations based in North America and Europe, have been given permission to apply for licenses for GM events. Once these companies are granted licenses for their respective GM events by the NBC, their licenses will be published on Pak-EPA website and the private sector will be allowed to import GM grains in the country for both oil extraction and animal feed on the basis of those licenses. They will not have to run from pillar to post to get their own licenses.

This will reduce the cost of doing business and facilitate private investments in the edible oil extraction and animal feed industry in the country. “Pakistan’s Biosafety regime is precautionary and rigid to some extent. We are trying to make it more open, science-based, and business-friendly.” Said Dr. Muhammad Rauf, the National Programme Manager of Pakistan Biosafety Clearing House (BCH), based at Pak-EPA. “One of the institutionally robust and science-based models we are looking at is that of Canada, which is one of the leading exporters of GM grains, oil, and feed in the world.” Pak-EPA is in negotiations with the commercial section of the Canadian Embassy at Islamabad to seek technical assistance to adopt the science-based features of the Canadian biosafety model.