MULTAN - Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the Pakistan government would allow farmers to grow Bt cotton next year.

Talking to a delegation of farmers on Monday, Shaukat Aziz assured them that the Pakistan government would ensure the protection of farmers' interests.

This move by Minister Shaukat Aziz confirms Pakistan's policy of being open to genetically modified crops, where there is an added value for its farmers.

Pakistan is also looking to develop its own GM crops. At the University of the Punjab, field trials of Bt basmati rice were successfully carried out this year. The enhanced basmati rice showed full resistance to yellow stem borer and rice leaf folder. In addition, studies are also being carried out with cotton and mangoes.

Pakistan's National Biosafety Committee is in charge of ensuring that risk assessment is carried out in accordance with the biosafety guidelines for all activities that alter plants to produce novel products, solve environmental problems and treat genetic disorders.