Pakistan has delayed decisions on applications involving genetically modified (GM) corn, soybean meal and cotton after the National Biosafety Committee sent the cases back for further technical review.

The decision was taken at the committee’s 38th meeting, held at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.

The applications included approvals for soybean meal imports for food, feed and processing, renewal of biosafety licences for GM corn, and several cotton-related cases.

The committee found that recommendations submitted by the Technical Advisory Committee did not clearly explain the conclusions needed for final decisions. It directed the technical panel to review the cases again and submit clearer recommendations.

During the meeting, members also discussed the suspension of commercialization activities for genetically modified food crops.

A representative of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research said the government had put the commercialization of biotech food crops on hold in 2019 until a comprehensive policy framework was developed.

The representative said the government had since approved and notified the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy 2025, establishing a regulatory framework for evaluating and commercializing agricultural biotechnology products.

Relevant authorities have been informed to proceed under the new policy framework, according to the briefing.

The pending applications will be considered again by the National Biosafety Committee after the technical panel completes its review and submits its recommendations. The latest meeting did not result in final decisions on the cases.