Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday approved the Halal Meat Export Policy and set a two-week deadline for authorities to submit a comprehensive three-year roadmap detailing practical actions to expand Pakistan’s halal meat exports.
While chairing a meeting on reforms in the meat export sector, the prime minister underlined that a coordinated and all-encompassing plan, prepared jointly by concerned federal ministries and provincial governments, was crucial to securing a meaningful share for Pakistan in the halal meat markets of Muslim countries and the broader global arena.
PM Shehbaz instructed the committee tasked with strengthening the halal meat export industry to come forward with realistic and workable proposals aimed at boosting production, improving cold chain and storage facilities, and addressing other related requirements of the sector.
He also called for focused steps to raise halal meat output in the livestock sector in line with international benchmarks, while maintaining competitiveness with regional producers.
Emphasizing the need for structural improvements, PM Shehbaz said that organized production and processing centers, developed through close collaboration between federal and provincial authorities, were urgently required to enhance both the quantity and nutritional quality of halal meat.
Pointing to the sector’s strong potential, he noted that Pakistan could significantly expand its export share not only in Muslim countries but also in the global halal meat market.
PM Shehbaz assured full government backing for securing international certifications for slaughterhouses in Pakistan and for completing bilateral registration processes with importing countries.
He further directed officials to implement special measures to ensure disease-free environments and internationally compliant hygiene standards at slaughterhouses across the country.
To strengthen halal meat exports, particularly within the regional market, the premier stressed the importance of bringing down production and operational costs.
PM Shehbaz also emphasized that the export-oriented business model for the halal meat sector should be designed by learning from internationally recognized best practices.
Stressing the need for dedicated infrastructure, the prime minister called for the establishment of special zones and centers to facilitate the export of disease-free halal meat from Pakistan.
During the briefing, the prime minister was informed that Pakistan’s total halal meat production was around six million metric tons and that, after meeting domestic demand, a substantial volume remained available for export.
PM Shehbaz was also briefed that targeted initiatives were already underway to increase production further and to ensure that packaging meets international standards.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar, along with other senior government officials.