LAHORE: (Sunday, October 15, 2023): The Punjab University-Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Lahore has developed another new variety of triple gene cotton (CKC-05) under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Idrees Ahmad Nasir and Prof. Dr. Tayyeb Hasnain. CKC-05 has all the characteristics of high yielding good cotton variety. Amenable to control all bollworms including pink bollworm, which is otherwise very costly to control conventionally. Punjab Seed Council has approved the new triple gene variety CKC-5 for general cultivation. CKC technology is a historic achievement of Punjab University scientists to increase cotton production and build Pakistan's economy on a strong foundation. This CKC technology contains double Bt genes (CEMB-Cry1Ac+Cry2A) and one glyphosate resistance gene (CEMB-GTG). CKC varieties help farmers to increase their income by reducing the number of insecticide sprays and saving the cost on hoeing. The scientists explained that the varieties developed by using CKC technology i.e., CKC-1, CKC-3, CKC-5 and CKC-6 have this year covered nearly 70% (rough estimate) of the total area under cotton and are helping farmers to effectively control bollworms and weeds, making Pakistan self-sufficient in cotton production again. This technology will prove to be an important milestone towards the stabilization of the Pakistan economy as Pakistan's largest export revenue depends on cotton and its related value-added products.

Minister of Agriculture, Commerce and Industry of the Punjab SM Tanveer and Vice Chancellor of the Punjab University, Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood visited various laboratories of the CEMB engaged in the application of biotechnology in the field of agriculture and health. He congratulated the team of scientists for giving another new triple gene variety for the benefit of Pakistan's farming community. The Minister said that the role of scientists in the development of the country is very important; therefore the nation should encourage the research projects of the scientists. Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood said that the scientists of CEMB are fully capable of solving the biotechnology related country's problems, but there is a dire need for encouragement and funding for the projects of national interest. On this occasion, Director CEMB Prof. Dr. Moaz ur Rahman gave a briefing about various research projects in the fields of agriculture and health. He said that CEMB will continue to play an active role in solving the various challenges faced by the country in the field of agriculture and health. Prof. Dr. Abdul Qayyum Rao, in-charge Plant Biotechnology Lab said that the initial experiments of genome editing technology are highly encouraging and by applying these findings, Pakistan can revolutionize in the field of agriculture. Lead researcher cotton Breeding programme, Dr. Allah Bakhsh added that we will continue integrating this genome edited lines to CEMB cotton breeding programme as source of germplasm to breed resilient cotton varieties.