PM Shehbaz approves halal meat export policy

Current production at 6 million metric tons, meets both domestic, export demand

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday approved a policy to boost 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 Halal meat exports” 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 metric tons, with sufficient quantity available for export after meeting domestic demand. They also briefed the meeting on steps being taken to increase production and ensure global-standard packaging.

He stressed the importance of coordination between federal ministries and provincial governments, saying, “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 worldwide.”

The Prime Minister instructed the committee tasked with enhancing Pakistan’s Halal meat exports to propose actionable steps for improving production, cold storage, and other critical factors. He added, “Special measures should be taken to increase Halal meat production 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 with the cooperation of federal ministries and provincial governments is the need of the hour to enhance 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 the slaughterhouses are disease-free and maintain cleanliness and hygiene arrangements according to international standards.”

He also emphasized the adoption of best practices, stating, “A business model for increasing Halal meat exports should be developed using globally recognized best practices.”

Recently, the government has also finalised a $200 million plan to boost meat exports to Malaysia over the next three to five years, with the halal meat sector set to be granted industry status.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan said, “An efficient business framework for meat exports has been developed. All members of the committee and ministries have done an outstanding job.”

Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain added that modern slaughterhouses would be established in line with Malaysian standards to facilitate compliance and strengthen trade potential.