Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday approved a policy to increase Pakistan’s halal meat exports and directed the formulation of a comprehensive three-year strategy to increase the country’s share in global halal meat markets.
Chairing a review meeting in Islamabad, the prime minister said the strategy should include “practical measures to increase exports of halal meat” and be presented within the next two weeks.
During the meeting, officials informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan’s total halal meat production currently stands at 6 million tonnes, with sufficient quantity available for export after meeting the domestic demand. They also briefed the meeting on the steps being taken to increase production and ensure global standard packaging.
Emphasizing the importance of coordination between federal ministries and provincial governments, he said: “A comprehensive strategy, created through coordination between all relevant ministries and provincial governments, is essential to secure Pakistan’s share in the Halal meat market across Muslim countries and the world.”
The prime minister directed the committee tasked to improve Pakistan’s halal meat exports to suggest actionable steps to improve production, cold storage and other critical factors. He added: “Special measures should be taken to increase the production of halal meat in the livestock sector in line with global standards and to compete with regional production levels.”
Highlighting the need for coordinated efforts, he said: “Establishing coordinated centers in collaboration with federal ministries and provincial governments is the need of the hour to improve the production and nutritional value of halal meat.”
Referring to Pakistan’s potential in halal meat exports, Shehbaz Sharif assured, “The government will provide all possible assistance for the international certification of the existing slaughterhouses and bilateral registration with other countries.” He further added that “special measures should be taken to ensure that slaughterhouses are disease-free and maintain cleanliness and hygiene arrangements in accordance with international standards.”
He also emphasized the adoption of best practices, stating, “A business model to increase the export of halal meat should be developed using globally recognized best practices.”
Recently, the government has also finalized a $200 million plan to increase meat exports to Malaysia over the next three to five years, with the halal meat sector to be granted industry status.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan said: “An effective business framework has been developed for meat exports. All members of the committee and ministries have done an excellent job.”
Food Safety Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain added that modern abattoirs would be established in accordance with Malaysian standards to facilitate compliance and enhance trade potential.
