October 7, 2025 — The International Cotton Conference 2025 was inaugurated at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, to mark World Cotton Day. The two-day event aims to promote innovation, sustainability, and climate resilience in Pakistan’s cotton sector through science-driven collaboration highlights innovation, sustainability, and climate resilience in Pakistan’s cotton sector through scientific collaboration. The inauguration was graced by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali, Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab/ Chairman BoG CEMB, as Chief Guest, and Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik, Founding Director NIBGE and former Federal Minister for Food Security, as Guest of Honour. Dr. Osama Rayis from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined as a distinguished guest. The event gathered experts, policymakers, industry representatives, and farmers from Egypt, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Bangladesh. Participants from 21 national institutes, along with faculty, students at the University of the Punjab, and dignitaries from across Pakistan’s agriculture sector, were also present. Many dignitaries including Prof. Dr. Shahid Mansoor (Senior Advisor, ICCBS, Karachi), Prof. Dr Talat Naseer Pasha (Chairman, Punjab Food and Drug Regulatory Authority), Mr. Murtaza Noor (Focal Person, COMSTECH), Prof Aqil Inam (Director ORIC PU), Prof. Dr. Saleem Haider Raza (Former Dean IAGS PU), Dr. Naeem Rashid (Professor Emeritus, Former Professor SBS PU), Prof. Dr. Ikram ul Haq (Former Director Industrial Biotechnology, GC Lahore), Prof. Tayyab Husnain, Prof Ahmad Ali shahid, Prof. Dr Idrees Nasir, Dr Mehboob ur Rehman (Chief Scientist, Agri Biotech Division, NIBGE), Dr. Nadeem Sheikh(Zoology Department, PU), Dr. Muhammad Naeem (Registrar, Plant Breeders Registry), Dr. Muhammad Asim (Chair, Regulatory Affairs, Bayer Crop Sciences), Prof. Dr. Rehan Sadiq (Director CAMB), Dr Muhammad Asif (Director, Cotton Research Station, Khanpur), Prof. Dr. Mohsin Javed (Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Virtual University), Mr. Munir Shaheen (Chairman Kashtkar Dost Foundation) and Prof. Dr. Aftab Bashir (FC University) graced the occasion with their presence.
In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Moazur Rahman, Director CEMB, welcomed the guests and paid tribute to pioneers Prof. Dr. Sheikh Riazuddin and Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik for establishing the foundation of biotechnology in Pakistan. He highlighted CEMB’s development of GMO triple-gene cotton varieties resistant to pests and herbicides, and ongoing work on climate-resilient and colored cotton using CRISPR-Cas technology. He mentioned that under an Islamic Development Bank–funded Reverse Linkage Program, CEMB is transferring cotton biotechnology expertise to Azerbaijan. He also shared progress in maize, soybean, and potato research, and appreciated the conference team for their efforts.
Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rao, focal person of the conference, outlined key themes including advances in cotton biotechnology, sustainable production, textile integration, and industry linkages. He highlighted participation from 21 universities and international experts from Australia, Central Asia, Bangladesh, China, and the USA, and acknowledged the support of sponsors.
Dr. Osama Rayis shared his vision of Agriculture 5.0, stressing the need for a new Academia–Government–Industry–Community collaboration model to achieve sustainable cotton farming.
Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik emphasized that supporting cotton biotechnology is not only about food security but national security. He recounted his pioneering work on Cotton Leaf Curl Virus, tracing its control strategies and highlighting the need for sustained funding and government support to protect Pakistan’s textile economy. Dr. Khalid Hameed, Chairman Tara Group, reaffirmed that cotton remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s economy. He noted that collaboration with CEMB since 2017 has produced three approved triple-gene cotton varieties, with ongoing efforts to address whitefly resistance. Syed Nadeem Shah, President Sindh Seed Association, appreciated CEMB’s contribution to Sindh’s cotton sector, stating that 80% of the cotton seed used in Sindh comes from CEMB-developed varieties.Mr. Khalid Abdullah, former Cotton Commissioner, pointed out that Pakistan’s cotton crisis is driven by both policy and research challenges, urging greater public-sector funding for science-based solutions. Dr. Sajjad Akhtar of Rachna Agribusiness acknowledged CEMB’s strong academia–industry partnerships in developing high-quality cotton and vegetable seed varieties. As Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali commended CEMB’s leadership in agricultural biotechnology and its international collaborations.
He emphasized providing better facilities and incentives for farmers to prevent rural-urban migration and ensure sustainable growth. He urged policymakers to adopt region-based crop zoning for optimal productivity and thanked the CEMB team for organizing a conference addressing the nation’s agricultural challenges. It is worth mentioning that this two-day event is co-organized by COMSTECH, with generous sponsorship from the Punjab Agricultural Research Board (PARB), Tara Group, Evyol Group, CropLife Pakistan, Lucky Core Industries, Rachna Agri Business, Neelum Seeds, Accountancy Outsourcing Services (AOS), Guard Seeds, Atta Seeds, and The Worldwide Scientific. Conference Coordinator Prof. Dr. Bushra Rashid thanked the Chief Guest, Guests of Honour, and all delegates for their participation.
The ceremony concluded with presentation of souvenirs to international delegates from Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Kazakhstan, as well as to Dr. Osama Rayis, Prof. Dr. Kauser Abdullah Malik, Prof. Dr. Moazur Rahman, and COMSTECH representatives. Prof. Dr. Moazur Rahman presented a souvenir to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali as a token of thanks. A group photograph marked the end of the inauguration, celebrating collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.