LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said national economy could be strengthened by development of livestock sector. He said that practical measures were required to attain the goal.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of 5th International Halal conference and a exhibition here at a local hotel on Tuesday. The CM said the volume of livestock trade in the world was one thousand billion dollar but Pakistan's share in this trade was almost negligible.
He said it is a matter of concern for policy makers, scientists and livestock experts of Sindh, Punjab, KPK, Balochistan and the whole country.
He said that a state of the art slaughter house had been set up in provincial metropolis which was the most modern slaughter house of the country.
"National economy can be revived by increasing trade of Halal products," he said. He said law had been framed in this regard and the bill would soon be tabled in the Punjab Assembly.
Minister of State of Malaysia Haji Abdul Mulk, Malaysian Honorary Consul General Abdul Rafique Karim, Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, Advisor on Livestock Arshad Jutt, delegates from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China besides a large number of persons associated with Halal Industry attended the moot.
The CM said holding of conference was a commendable effort of Punjab Halal Development Agency. He said useful recommendations would come forward in the conference for increasing Halal products, adding that an opportunity would be given to benefit from the experience of friendly countries.
He said there was a need to take practical measures to increase the share of Pakistan in the trade of Halal products and development of livestock sector.
He said that there is culture of Gao Mata in India but still it is exporting tons of Halal meat to Malaysia. He said instead of lamenting the past mistakes, it was time to move forward with commitment and determination to develop livestock sector and increase Pakistan's share in the business of Halal products.
The CM said there was also a big demand for Halal food in China. He said China had given economic package of 46 billion dollar to Pakistan and a number of projects were being set up in the country.
He expressed the hope that in the light of recommendations of the conference, practical measures would be taken for expanding the business of livestock and Halal food.
Malaysian Minister of State Haji Abdul Mulk congratulated Punjab government and organizers on holding of conference. He said Pakistan was a super power with regard to Halal products and it should contribute its share in the business of Halal products.
He said legislation with regard to Halal products is vital importance as otherwise availability of Halal products and services is not possible.
He said Pakistani government especially Punjab government had undertaken legislations in this regard which is commendable.
In his address of welcome, Chairman Punjab Halal Development Agency Justice (Retd) Khalil ur Rehman said that the purpose of arranging the conference was to promote halal industry and trade.
Vice Chancellor Veterinary University of Animal Sciences (UVAS) while addressing the conference said that a special programme had been started for the training of butchers with regard to Halal products and speedy progress was being made for utilizing the potential in livestock sector.
Later, the CM inspected different stalls at the International Halal conference.
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