Punjab govt announces strategy to enforce Halal food laws

LAHORE: The Punjab government on Tuesday announced a comprehensive strategy to enforce Halal food laws across the province, with officials saying the initiative aims to ensure that food available to consumers complies with Islamic principles as well as modern food safety standards.

The announcement was made at Punjab’s first-ever Halal Food Summit, jointly organised by the Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department, the Punjab Halal Development Agency (PHDA) and the Punjab Food Authority (PFA).

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Salma Butt, Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid, and Director General Punjab Food Authority and Registrar PHDA Raja Mansoor Ahmed inaugurated the summit.

Addressing the participants, Salma Butt said the initiative was being pursued on the directions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to promote a farm-to-plate Halal food ecosystem across Punjab. She said the government was committed to protecting consumers’ rights by ensuring access to safe, hygienic and nutritionally sound Halal food.

She said experts from different sectors had been brought together to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework based on consultation and international best practices. “Quality, purity and tayyab food are the essence of the Halal food system,” she said, adding that Halal compliance would be strengthened throughout the production, processing and supply chain.

Salma Butt said Pakistan receives a wide range of food and non-food products from around the world, making their proper Halal classification essential. She added that the Punjab Halal Development Agency was being fully activated to strengthen governance and regulatory oversight in the sector.

Secretary Food Safety and Consumer Protection Dr Kiran Khurshid said the department was working on mapping the non-food sector and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

She said all stakeholders were being brought together to develop a modern regulatory framework for Halal compliance, adding that the newly established department had achieved significant progress within a short period.

Director General PFA and Registrar PHDA Raja Mansoor Ahmed said the Punjab government was committed to strengthening regulatory compliance and promoting both Halal food and non-food industries. He said measures were being taken to expand Halal certification, build institutional capacity and facilitate trade and industrial growth.

He described the summit as a platform for policymakers, industry representatives, academics and international experts to exchange knowledge, share global best practices and promote collaboration. He said the initiative would help create new opportunities for investment, innovation and exports while contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Raja Mansoor Ahmed said the demand for Halal-certified products was increasing globally among both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers. He said the government was positioning the Halal system not only as a religious requirement but also as a modern regulatory compliance framework.

He added that a comprehensive strategy had been prepared for the classification of Halal and non-Halal food, packaging and non-food products, while inspection, licensing and enforcement systems were being aligned with Shariah requirements.

Food experts, members of the academic community and international speakers also participated in the summit, discussing global trends, regulatory challenges and opportunities for expanding Pakistan’s Halal economy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026