Islamabad, December 18, 2025 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday formally approved Pakistan’s Halal meat export policy, marking a significant step toward enhancing the country’s position in the global Halal meat market. The approval came during a high-level review meeting held in Islamabad, where the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of a structured strategy to expand exports.
The Prime Minister directed the formation of a comprehensive three-year strategy to be submitted within the next two weeks. This strategy will focus on practical measures to increase Halal meat exports, including improvements in production, cold storage, processing, and international certification. He stressed that coordination between federal ministries and provincial governments is crucial to ensure the success of this initiative and to secure Pakistan’s share in the Halal meat market across Muslim countries and globally.
Shehbaz Sharif underlined the need for enhancing production standards in the livestock sector to meet international Halal guidelines and compete with regional producers. He called for the establishment of coordinated centers across the country to boost both the quantity and nutritional quality of Halal meat. Special attention will be given to disease-free slaughterhouses, hygiene practices, and packaging standards to ensure compliance with global export requirements.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the government’s commitment to assisting in the international certification of existing slaughterhouses and facilitating bilateral registration with importing countries, ensuring smoother market access. He emphasized that a globally recognized business model should guide Pakistan’s Halal meat export strategy, incorporating best practices to maximize competitiveness.
During the meeting, officials informed the Prime Minister that Pakistan currently produces six million metric tons of Halal meat, with sufficient surplus available for exports after domestic consumption. Steps are already underway to improve production efficiency, maintain hygiene standards, and implement world-class packaging and storage systems, paving the way for Pakistan to emerge as a leading Halal meat exporter.
This policy is expected to boost foreign exchange earnings, strengthen the livestock sector, and position Pakistan as a key player in the international Halal meat market.