Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) Chairman Justice Khalilur Rehman Khan said that Pakistan could become one of the top halal exporting countries for which government and private sector should join hands.
“Our halal exports are dismally low which must be increased through collective efforts as quality of Pakistan’s meat is better than the quality of meat provided by leading countries in this sector like Australia and New Zealand”, he said.
Justice Khalil-u-Rehman Khan expressed these views while speaking to the business community at Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Saturday.
FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam and others were also present on the occasion.
He said that Malaysia wanted to increase the volume of halal business with Pakistan which must be exploited by the local business community. Some countries including Malaysia want to establish Halal industries in Pakistan, and the process is being facilitated, he informed.
He said that halal products covered a wide range of items such as food, pharmaceuticals, health, food supplements, drinks and toiletries and Pakistan, being a Muslim country, is taking a nominal share of this huge export potential.
Justice Khalil-u-Rehman Khan said that halal animals included buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys; non-predatory animals such as deer, antelope, chamois, wild cattle; and non-predatory birds such as pigeons, sparrows, quails, starlings and ostriches.
He further said all countries having export of Halal products had established their regulations bodies many years ago but here in Pakistan it was neglected area for a long time and hoped that government will complete the remaining legal formalities soon.
FPCCI President Abdul Rauf Alam said that Muslim consumerism is valued at an astounding $2.1 trillion and by 2050 the global population of Muslims will increase from the current 1.8 billion to 2.8 billion.
Apart from Muslims, non-Muslims are also interested in Halal products but not many countries have initiated efforts to tap this potential, he added.
Apart from the existing huge halal market, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project has provided motivation to the planners for the development of a big regional market.
Abdul Rauf Alam said that global halal economy was worth over $3.66 trillion including food, finance and life style.
Pakistan has all the ingredients required for serving the global food market as it has around 150 million animals, and their population is growing at a healthy pace of around three per cent annually and these animals are fed on natural grazing, avoiding animal feed that contains Haram ingredients.
