Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has given his approval to a new Halal meat export policy while chairing a review meeting in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister has directed that a comprehensive three-year strategy, which includes practical measures to boost Halal meat exports, be developed and presented within the next two weeks. This strategy is expected to be the result of coordination between all relevant ministries and provincial governments, aiming to secure Pakistan’s share in the Halal meat market across Muslim countries and worldwide.

The Prime Minister has instructed the committee responsible for enhancing Pakistan’s Halal meat export market to propose actionable suggestions to improve production, cold storage, and other factors. Special measures should be taken to increase Halal meat production in the livestock sector, aligning with global standards and competing with regional production levels.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the need for coordinated centers, established in cooperation with federal ministries and provincial governments, to enhance the production and nutritional value of Halal meat. He assured that the government will provide all possible assistance for the international certification of existing slaughterhouses and bilateral registration with other countries. Special measures are to be taken to ensure that slaughterhouses remain disease-free and maintain cleanliness and hygiene arrangements according to international standards.

The Prime Minister emphasized that a business model for increasing Halal meat exports should be developed using globally recognized best practices. During the meeting, it was revealed that Pakistan’s total Halal meat production is six million metric tons, with sufficient quantity available for export after meeting domestic demand. The steps being taken to increase Halal meat production and ensure global-standard packaging were also discussed.