Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Federal Cabinet approved the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy (NABP)-2025 on June 28, 2026 [1].
The move aims to modernize Pakistan's farming sector by integrating biotechnology to combat food insecurity and improve nutrition. This policy seeks to create a sustainable agricultural framework that can withstand environmental pressures while increasing total crop yields [2].
Officials said the primary goals of the policy are to foster a robust biotechnology industry and support sustainable agriculture [2]. By enhancing crop productivity, the government intends to ensure long-term food and nutrition security for the population [2]. The approval took place in Islamabad, marking a shift toward science-led agricultural management [3].
Industry observers have reacted positively to the timing of the announcement. Waseem Alee said, "The approval of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy 2025 by the Prime Minister and his Federal Cabinet is a great and timely..." [4].
The policy, designated as the 2025 framework [1], focuses on the intersection of laboratory science and field application. The government intends to use these tools to reduce reliance on traditional methods that may no longer be effective against evolving pests or changing climate patterns [2].
“The approval of the National Agricultural Biotechnology Policy 2025 by the Prime Minister and his Federal Cabinet is a great and timely...”
The adoption of the NABP-2025 indicates Pakistan's strategic pivot toward genetically modified organisms and bio-engineered seeds to stabilize its volatile food supply. By formalizing a national biotechnology policy, the government is attempting to attract private investment and technical expertise to reduce the agricultural sector's vulnerability to climate shocks.
