Pakistan’s halal food exports hold $50bn potential, experts say

Pakistan has potential to generate $40-50 billion in halal exports by mobilising over 100,000 local companies to produce value-added, internationally certified products and expand into markets across Central Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, according to industry stakeholders and experts.

“Despite being the second-largest Muslim population in the world, Pakistan’s share in the $3 trillion global Halal economy is less than 1%. We intend to bring public and private sectors and global bodies on one platform to unlock Pakistan’s $40-50 billion export potential, raise SMEs and build one National Halal Mark,” Pakistan Halal Forum 2026 Organising Committee Chairman and Halal Development Council Founder and CEO Asad Sajjad said while speaking to Business Recorder at an exclusive Media Roundtable for Pakistan Halal Forum 2026 held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi on Friday.

The briefing brought together key stakeholders from government, private sector, and global Halal bodies.

Sajjad said Pakistan had an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 halal product companies that could help boost the country’s exports to the global halal market.

He announced that the Pakistan Halal Forum 2026 would be held in December 2026, with participation from more than 35 countries, including exhibitors and international buyers.

“The forum will follow a public-private partnership model focusing on value addition, investment and export facilitation,” he said.

Meanwhile, International Halal Certification (IHC) CEO Mufti Zeeshan Abdul Aziz said over 1,000 local companies of Pakistan had achieved international halal certification.

He identified regulatory barriers, inadequate laboratory testing facilities, certification challenges, a lack of innovation, and weak marketing and branding as key obstacles to boosting halal product exports.

“Pakistan are not willing to explore non-traditional markets like central Asian and African states and east European countries.”

IHC CEO further said Pakistani exporters appeared reluctant to participate in international expos to tap new markets and buyers, while India, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand and other countries had been capitalising on halal product exports for years.

“Pakistani businessmen seem to be unaware of gem of halal product exports as they (Pakistanis) are just exporting chilled and fresh beef and mutton to foreign countries.

“Halal is no longer limited to food. Halal is now a global standard for quality, hygiene and safety. It has moved beyond food to pharma, cosmetics, logistics, modest fashion and tourism,” he said.

“IHC’s global accreditation is accepted in GCC, Malaysia and Indonesia, which can help Pakistani products gain international market access.”