Interview with Mr. Shakir Umar Gujjar, President Dairy & Cattle Farmers Association Pakistan (DCFA Pakistan)
PAGE: Tell me something about yourself, please.
Shakir Umar Gujjar: I am a dairy farmer by profession and President of Dairy & Cattle Farmers Association Pakistan (DCFA Pakistan). For many years, I have been actively working for the development of Pakistan’s livestock and dairy sector, protection of farmers’ rights, improvement of indigenous breeds, control of animal diseases, enhancement of milk and meat production, and the strengthening of Pakistan’s rural economy.
I firmly believe that agriculture and livestock are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and the foundation of national food security. My mission is to create an environment where farmers receive fair returns for their hard work, consumers have access to quality and affordable food, and Pakistan moves towards self-sufficiency in agricultural and livestock production.
PAGE: Having listened to the Budget Speech, what is your take on the role of the IMF?
Shakir Umar Gujjar: The IMF has played an important role in helping Pakistan maintain macroeconomic stability and avoid financial crises. However, long-term economic prosperity cannot be achieved through continued dependence on external lenders and financial assistance programs.
Pakistan now needs structural reforms that promote domestic production, exports, investment, and a broader tax base. A significant portion of our economy, particularly agriculture and livestock, remains undocumented. Unless we bring these sectors into the formal economic framework, we will not be able to fully realize Pakistan’s economic potential.
The world is rapidly moving toward digital economies, and Pakistan must adapt accordingly. Economic documentation, digital financial systems, and greater transparency will help strengthen the economy, improve governance, and gradually reduce dependence on international financial institutions.
PAGE: What is your perspective on the FBR revenue collection target for the fiscal year 2026-27?
Shakir Umar Gujjar: In my view, the FBR revenue target cannot be achieved sustainably by imposing additional taxes on already documented sectors. The real opportunity lies in documenting large segments of the economy that currently operate outside the formal system.
The livestock sector is a prime example. Pakistan produces millions of liters of milk every day, yet there is no comprehensive national record of milk production and trade. Likewise, transactions involving livestock purchases and sales, feed trading, farm investments, and many other activities are largely conducted through cash-based systems.
Animals are frequently sold on credit, milk is often purchased through advance payment arrangements, and billions of rupees circulate within the livestock economy without proper documentation. As a result, the government lacks accurate data about the true size and value of this important sector.
Pakistan must gradually digitize its agriculture and livestock economy. Farmers should be connected to banking channels, digital payment systems, electronic record-keeping, and modern financial services. Awareness and training programs are equally important because successful digitization requires active participation from farmers and rural businesses.
By documenting and digitizing the livestock and agricultural sectors, Pakistan can expand its tax base, improve transparency, attract investment, strengthen financial inclusion, and support evidence-based policymaking.
I also believe that prices of essential commodities such as milk, meat, poultry, eggs, and other agricultural products should be determined through transparent and competitive market mechanisms. Artificial price controls often discourage production, reduce profitability for farmers, and limit investment. The government’s role should be to ensure transparency, fair competition, and consumer protection rather than direct price fixing.
When producers receive fair market value for their products, they invest more, increase production, create employment opportunities, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
PAGE: How would you comment on PSDP allocation and the current state of infrastructure?
Shakir Umar Gujjar: Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) allocations remain critical for Pakistan’s economic development. However, development spending should focus on projects that generate long-term economic value rather than short-term political gains.
Pakistan continues to face serious infrastructure deficiencies, particularly in rural areas. Investments are urgently needed in irrigation systems, water conservation projects, farm-to-market roads, livestock markets, cold-chain networks, modern slaughterhouses, veterinary services, energy infrastructure, and digital connectivity.
The livestock sector contributes significantly to Pakistan’s GDP and rural livelihoods, yet it often receives limited attention in development planning. Strategic investments in livestock infrastructure can increase productivity, improve food security, create jobs, strengthen exports, and accelerate rural development.
PAGE: What is your standpoint on Employment, Inflation, Population Growth and Interest Rate in Pakistan?
Shakir Umar Gujjar: Employment, inflation, population growth, and interest rates are among Pakistan’s most important economic challenges, and they require a balanced and long-term policy approach.
The greatest potential for job creation lies in agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, and small and medium-sized enterprises. With the right policies, financing, and infrastructure support, these sectors can create millions of employment opportunities.
Inflation continues to place pressure on both producers and consumers. Farmers face rising costs of feed, fuel, electricity, medicines, and transportation, while consumers struggle with declining purchasing power. Sustainable inflation control cannot be achieved through excessive administrative intervention or price suppression. The real solution lies in increasing production, improving efficiency, and expanding supply.
Population growth is undoubtedly a challenge, but it can become a major economic asset if Pakistan invests in education, healthcare, vocational training, and human capital development.
Regarding interest rates, a gradual reduction is desirable once inflation is brought under control. Lower borrowing costs encourage investment, business expansion, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
Pakistan needs an economic model built on production, investment, digitization, documentation, innovation, and fair market competition. We must move away from a largely cash-based economy toward a transparent, documented, and technology-driven economic system.
A stronger agricultural and livestock sector, supported by modern infrastructure, digital integration, and market-based policies, can play a transformational role in Pakistan’s economic future. This is the path toward sustainable growth, greater prosperity, and long-term economic self-reliance.