Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh has indicated that the demand for livestock and its products are continuing to increase due to population growth, urbanisation and increase in per capita income. Addressing the 2nd international conference and expo on halal industry, organised by Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company (PAMCO), Livestock and Dairy Development Department and Halal Research Council, he said livestock sector had a great contribution towards GDP of the country in conjunction with agriculture and was contributing 55 per cent of agriculture value added products and 11.50 per cent national GDP.
He said it was pleasing that 19 countries were participating in this international conference by sending their representatives to share their knowledge and experience regarding their states. Ahmad Ali Aulakh said the conference had focused on exploring the potential of halal industry, introducing Pakistan as emerging leader in this sector and attracting investors and consumers for halal brands. It has also focused on practical approach of halal through practical visits to halal slaughter house, parks, labs and Halal Food Centre. The minister said the essentials of today’s conference are to enhance awareness about importance of the halal industry and to provide the practical approach through field visits.
He said the conference highlighted the international standards and procedures of halal certification as well as the importance of consuming halal as taught by Islamic Shariah. He further said that the conference would also provide a platform for discovering successful national and international best practices and explore cross-border trade opportunities in Halal sector. Secretary Livestock Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh, Chairman Halal Research and Development Cell PAMCO Justice (r) Khalil Ur Rehman, also spoke on this occasion.
