PM Shehbaz Sharif Approves Landmarks Halal Meat Export Policy

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday formally approved Pakistan’s new Halal Meat Export Policy, marking a decisive step toward capturing a significant portion of the $3 trillion global halal food trade. Presiding over a high-level committee meeting focused on sector reforms, the Prime Minister directed relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive three-year strategy within two weeks.

Highlighting that Pakistan currently holds a mere 0.25% share of the global halal market, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the urgent need for proactive government and private sector collaboration. “A comprehensive strategy, formulated through coordination among all relevant federal ministries and provincial governments, is essential to establish a niche for ‘Made in Pakistan’ products in Muslim countries and the broader global market,” the Premier stated.

The Prime Minister underscored the importance of modernizing the entire supply chain to meet international benchmarks. Key directives issued during the meeting include:

• Production Enhancement: Development of organized centers to improve the nutritional value and volume of livestock.
• International Certification: Provision of full government support for the international certification of slaughterhouses and bilateral registrations with importing nations.
• Cold Chain Logistics: Presentation of proposals to improve cold storage facilities and packaging standards to maintain competitiveness with regional producers.
• Hygiene Standards: Special measures to ensure disease-free conditions and international-standard hygiene arrangements across all domestic slaughterhouses.

The committee briefed the Prime Minister that Pakistan’s total halal meat production currently stands at six million metric tons. After meeting domestic demand, a substantial surplus remains available for international trade. The briefing also touched upon recent diplomatic successes, including Malaysia’s expressed interest in importing $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan.

To capitalize on these opportunities, Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has been directed to coordinate closely with the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to streamline the export pipeline to Southeast Asia and beyond.

You May Like To Read: Global Refugee Forum Progress Review Concludes with 30 New Pledges, and Renewed International Solidarity

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 PM for Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar, and other senior officials.

The Prime Minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for exporters, ensuring that Pakistan’s livestock sector becomes a primary driver of national economic growth and foreign exchange earnings.

Check out our latest video: