‘Genetically modified crops need of hour to feed ever-increasing population’

FAISALABAD: In the face of food security challenges in the developing world, genetically modified crops are the need of the hour to feed the ever-increasing population and alleviate hunger.

It was stated by University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan while talking to a delegation of 93th pre-services course for probation officers of Provincial Management Service, Govt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, led by Abdul Sattar.

Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said that in Pakistan, multiple times sprays on crops were provoking an increase in toxic material and maximum residue limit whereas GM crops also limited spray to one and made crop healthy. He added that developing countries like Pakistan could not afford the organic crop amid the pressure of dense population and inadequate resources.

Talking about agricultural model in India, he said that in Indian Punjab, Lyallpur Agriculture Model was in place, under which education, research and extension wings were working together under the umbrella of agricultural university whereas in Pakistan, education research and extension wings were bifurcated at the dawn 60s. He said that the university was supposed to be knowledge creator and keeping in view, the UAF was taking all possible measures to produce tangible research work to address the challenge of modern era.

He said that every year, the university students left for agricultural fields for two weeks under wheat campaign with Extension Department Punjab to get the first-hand information of the farmers problems and disseminate modern agricultural trends among the farmers. Talking about the UAF varieties of different crops, he said that the university had introduced high-yielding and potential varieties of genetically modified sugarcane, including Insect-resistant transgenic sugarcane and Herbicide-tolerant transgenic sugarcane. These sugarcane varieties were carrying superior traits like input-responsiveness, early maturing, top borer-resistance, herbicide-tolerance and high-number of tillers, he added. He said that it was the second GM sugarcane varieties after the Brazil across the globe. Prof Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan said that the university had developed varieties of climate resilient wheat with the support of the Washington State University and it would prove to be a milestone.

He said that the UAF had introduced new varieties of soybeans, which were being promoted among the farmers to get rid of the import.Abdul Sattar lauded the measures being taken on the part of the university to fight the agriculture challenges with tangible research work.

GCUF VC VISITS PRESS CLUB: Government College University Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-I-Azam made a meaningful visit to the Faisalabad Press Club where he explored various departments and inaugurated a calligraphy art exhibition, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Dr Rauf-I-Azam inaugurated the Institute of Faisalabad Press Club, aiming to educate the children of journalists. During the visit, President Press Club Shahid Ali briefed the vice chancellor on the club’s multiple facilities, including a library, gym, computer lab and other resources designed to support journalists in their professional growth.

Prof Dr Rauf-I-Azam praised the professional contributions of journalists, emphasising that journalism served as the mirror of society and played an indispensable role in social reform. He stressed the importance of collaboration between media and educational institutions in enhancing education, research, and the arts.

SEVEN BOOKED FOR ASSAULTING FOREIGN WOMAN: The Women police have registered a case against seven people, including men and women, for allegedly attempting to assault a foreign woman and physically abusing her at Canal Villas.

According to the police report, Tasaduq Iftikhar, who worked in South Korea, married a Korean woman, who later settled in Pakistan. On the day of the incident, the woman returned from the market and found Nazir, Sohail Nazir, Nazir’s wife, Wamis, and other women occupying the street. After requesting them to move, she drove her car inside her house, but the suspects instigated children to pelt stones at her vehicle.

When she went to complain, the suspects allegedly locked the gate from inside, attempted to assault her, and physically harassed her. Upon resisting, she was beaten. The police registered a case after obtaining CCTV footage from the victim’s house, which provided evidence of the attack.

BOY DIES: A 10-year-old boy lost his life after being run over by a car driven by TikTok content creators during a wedding at Chak 208/RB in the jurisdiction of Madina Town police station.

According to police, Yusuf was attending his cousin’s wedding when four individuals filming TikTok videos in a speeding car hit him. As a result, Yusuf sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he died.