LAHORE, June 28: The provincial government has set up the Punjab Halal Development Cell keeping in view the increasing demand of halal products and enhancing export of Pakistani products throughout the world.
The Punjab Agriculture and Meat Company will provide secretarial support to the cell headed by Justice Khaleelur Rehman Khan (retired) while its administrative powers will be with the Livestock and Dairy Development Department.
The aim and objectives of the cell include reviewing halal standards required in local and international markets, contacting local and international technical and religious experts, preparing regularity framework for the establishment of the Punjab Halal Development Authority and evolving schemes in accordance with local and international standards for the export of edible items.
According to a handout issued here on Thursday, the cell would comprise professional and religious experts who would fix halal standards.
Regarding setting up of the cell, Livestock secretary and PAMCO chief executive officer Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh said that Pakistan was rich in the best breed of livestock.
He said according to the latest figures, there were 69.60 million cows and buffaloes and 91.50 million goats and sheep in Pakistan from which high quality beef and mutton was obtained.
But due to non-determination of standards for the halal industry in the country, he said Pakistani traders were not doing commendable marketing of their products in international markets which was causing a great loss to the national economy.
He said that after setting of halal standards, Pakistani halal products would be recognized throughout the world and a huge foreign exchange would also be earned.
