Review Meeting in Islamabad
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high‑level meeting in Islamabad where he formally approved Pakistan’s Halal meat export policy. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive three‑year strategy within two weeks, focusing on practical measures to expand exports and strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global Halal meat market.
Strategic Directives
The Prime Minister emphasized that coordination between federal ministries and provincial governments is essential to secure Pakistan’s share in the Halal meat sector. He instructed the committee to propose actionable steps to improve production, cold storage, packaging, and disease‑free slaughterhouses in line with international standards.
Shehbaz Sharif assured full government support for international certification of slaughterhouses and bilateral registration with importing countries. He stressed that facilities must maintain hygiene and cleanliness to compete with regional producers and meet global benchmarks.
Livestock Sector Development
The Prime Minister highlighted the need for coordinated centers to enhance production and nutritional value of Halal meat. He urged the adoption of globally recognized best practices in business models to strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness in Muslim countries and beyond.
Officials briefed the meeting that Pakistan produces around six million metric tons of Halal meat annually, with sufficient surplus available for export after meeting domestic demand.
Pakistan’s Current Position
Despite this production capacity, Pakistan’s share in the global Halal food trade remains extremely low, less than 1%. The Prime Minister noted that aggressive reforms, certification, and international partnerships are required to capture a larger slice of the market.
Global Halal Meat Market
The global Halal meat market is expanding rapidly, driven by rising demand in Muslim‑majority countries and growing interest among non‑Muslim consumers seeking certified products. The market is projected to reach USD 1 trillion by 2025, with steady growth expected through 2030. Asia‑Pacific remains the largest market, while the Middle East and Africa are the fastest growing regions due to strict Halal certification requirements. Poultry, beef, and mutton dominate exports, but processed Halal meat and packaged products are gaining traction in retail and hospitality sectors worldwide.
Outlook for Pakistan
With global demand surging, Pakistan’s new policy aims to secure international certification for slaughterhouses, ensure disease‑free and hygienic facilities, expand cold storage and logistics, and develop a business model aligned with global best practices. If implemented effectively, these measures could allow Pakistan to significantly expand its footprint in the trillion‑dollar Halal meat industry, tapping into both Muslim‑majority markets and mainstream global consumers.