Muhammad Aurangzeb says Pakistan’s poultry industry supports 1.5 million families but exports remain below $4 million annually.
Lahore, October 10, 2026: Federal Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has said the government is taking measures at the local level to address the problems faced by Pakistan’s poultry sector, emphasising its importance for food security, employment and economic growth.
Addressing the ceremony of the International Poultry Expo (IPEX) 2026 at the Expo Centre on Saturday, he said the event would help strengthen business and investor confidence in the industry.
“Pakistan is the 11th-largest country in the world in terms of poultry production. Steps are being taken at the local level to solve the problems faced by the poultry sector,” the minister said.
Aurangzeb noted that more than 200 stalls had been established at the expo, attracting considerable interest from the business community.
He said approximately 1.5 million families were associated with the poultry sector, which produces around 2.5 billion kilograms of meat and more than 28 million eggs. The industry also plays a significant role in generating employment in rural areas and supplying protein to people across the country.
The finance minister, however, highlighted the limited contribution of poultry products to exports. He said Pakistan’s poultry meat exports to Central and South Asian markets remained low, with the total value of national poultry exports not exceeding $4 million.
He stressed that the poultry industry was important for meeting domestic food requirements, supporting economic activity and creating employment opportunities.
Aurangzeb said investment in poultry and livestock was necessary to strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural economy. He added that adopting modern technologies could significantly increase production and improve the sector’s performance.
The minister also underscored the importance of private-sector participation in developing the industry, saying that a supportive business environment was essential for attracting investment and expanding poultry-related businesses.
He said a reliable supply of chicken meat and eggs was indispensable for food security and added that the government was focusing on promoting development and investment across different sectors of the economy.
Aurangzeb reiterated that measures were being taken at the local level to resolve industry-related challenges, expressing the importance of strengthening the poultry sector’s contribution to Pakistan’s economy.