The Pakistan International Business Forum (PIBF) has raised serious concerns over the Punjab government's policy permitting the export of live animals, arguing that it undermines the country's meat processing industry, reduces value addition, and deprives Pakistan of crucial export earnings and employment opportunities.
PIBF President Criticizes Policy
PIBF President Dr. Mushtaq Mangat stated that Pakistan possesses one of the largest livestock populations in the region and should focus on exporting processed and value-added halal meat instead of live animals. He emphasized that exporting processed meat generates higher foreign exchange and creates jobs across the entire value chain, including livestock farming, slaughtering, meat processing, packaging, cold storage, logistics, and allied industries.
Dr. Mangat urged the Punjab government to immediately review and withdraw the existing policy that facilitates the export of live animals. "Pakistan must adopt an export strategy based on value addition rather than exporting raw resources. The future of the livestock sector lies in strengthening the meat processing industry, ensuring international quality standards, and expanding access to global halal markets," he said.
Economic Benefits of Processed Meat Exports
He added that encouraging processed meat exports would help improve food safety, increase Pakistan's competitiveness in international markets, attract investment in modern slaughterhouses and processing facilities, and contribute significantly to sustainable economic growth.
PIBF Lahore Vice President Abdul Hannan, who also serves as Chairman of the All Pakistan Meat Exporters Association, noted that the country's meat processing sector has made substantial investments in internationally compliant processing plants and cold-chain infrastructure. However, the continued export of live animals adversely affects the availability of quality livestock for local processors, limiting the industry's growth potential.
Industry Leaders Call for Policy Change
Hannan emphasized that processed meat exports offer substantially greater economic returns than live animal exports by generating higher export value and creating skilled employment. He called upon both the federal and provincial governments to formulate policies that support value-added exports and provide incentives for the meat processing industry to enhance Pakistan's share in the rapidly expanding global halal meat market.
The PIBF leadership reiterated that promoting processed meat exports instead of live animal exports would strengthen Pakistan's economy, maximize foreign exchange earnings, protect domestic industry, and establish the country as a leading supplier of premium halal meat in international markets.
