‘Non-Muslims dominate halal food business’

LCCI chief says Pakistan has resources to become global market leader

LAHORE: Livestock is an integral part of the agricultural sector of Pakistan and has the potential to grab a huge share in the international halal trade of over $300 billion, which requires the framing of favourable policies on the part of the government.

These views were exchanged between Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Malik Tahir Javaid and Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company (Pamco) Chairman Mumtaz Khan Manais.

Heading a delegation to the state-of-the-art slaughterhouse, Javaid highlighted that livestock was the biggest economic activity in rural areas and a major source of women empowerment. “The livestock sector is producing its own energy through biogas,” he said.

He asked the government to join hands with the private sector in an attempt to secure a huge share in the international halal trade. He anticipated that meat demand around the world would double in the next two decades and Pakistan had all the resources to become a global leader in that area.

Though the global market of halal food runs into billions of dollars, Pakistan’s share is still insignificant.

“It is high time to give a boost to Pakistan’s economy not by getting aid from foreign countries, but by exploiting the untapped potential of halal food that has created a halal economy,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2017.

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