PM chairs policy review as Pakistan moves to expand halal meat exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting on Pakistan’s halal meat export policy and approved a new framework aimed at significantly expanding the country’s share in the global halal meat market.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the relevant ministries and stakeholders to present a comprehensive three-year export strategy within the next two weeks, outlining clear and practical steps to enhance production, certification, and market access. He stressed that a well-structured and actionable strategy is essential to make Pakistan’s halal meat exports more competitive and valuable in international markets.

The premier instructed the committee formed to promote halal meat exports to submit concrete and implementable recommendations. Accentuating quality and compliance, he called for increasing livestock-based halal meat production in line with international standards, noting that organized production centers are critical to improving both output and nutritional value.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the strong potential for growth in Pakistan’s halal meat exports and assured full government support in certifying slaughterhouses according to international requirements. He also directed authorities to ensure slaughterhouses are disease-free and meet global hygiene and cleanliness standards.

Underscoring the need for competitiveness, the Prime Minister emphasized minimizing production and logistics costs to boost exports. He further directed that Pakistan’s halal meat export business model be aligned with global best practices.

During the briefing, officials informed the Prime Minister that special zones and dedicated centers are proposed for the export of disease-free halal meat. It was shared that Pakistan currently produces around 6 million metric tons of halal meat annually, and after meeting domestic demand, a substantial quantity remains available for export.

The meeting was also told that steps are already underway to enhance halal meat production, processing, and packaging to world-class standards, in order to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global halal meat market.