“Every budget pushes investors towards uncertainty and instability with new taxes and new conditions’’
Well-known trade, industry & commerce leader, Convener of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Standing Committee for Halal Meat Processors & Exporters Association, Former Executive Committee Member Lahore Chamber, Former Chairman LCCI Standing Committee for Halal Meat Processors & Exporters Association, Chairman Halal Meat Processors & Exporters Association of Pakistan, Convener for Halal Food Export & Import, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nasib Ahmed Saifi, while talking to PAGE representative, said that “Halal meat industry of Pakistan plays a strategically important and religiously significant and economically critical sector. This industry not only contributes directly to national exports and GDP, but also responsible for sustaining more than 14 allied sectors.” These includes: 1) Livestock farming, 2) Leather and hides processing, 3) Gelatin and bone product industries, 4) Logistics and cold chain management, 5) Veterinary pharmaceutical and diagnostic services, 6) Meat processing and packaging, 7) Rendering and waste management, 8) Halal certification bodies, 9) Feed and fodder supply chains, 10) Tallow and grease exports, 11) Work force employment (direct and indirect), 12) By-product industries, 13) Training and education institutions related to animal sciences, and 14) Agricultural and grazing-land development.”
The Halal meat industry plays two important roles: 1) ensures availability of Halal meat to overseas Pakistanis as well as Muslims living in other countries and 2) earns precious foreign exchange for the country. He requested the government to remove the irritants which often become stumbling blocks.
All possible measures should be taken by the govt for export facilitation as the exporters bring valuable foreign exchange.
Saifi said, “Despite being a Muslim-majority nation and a symbol of Halal authenticity, Pakistan’s share in the global Halal meat trade remains shockingly low at merely 1%. As against this, non-Muslim countries like Australia enjoy approximately 16% of the global Halal meat market. India continues to expand its presence due to aggressive policy support, infrastructure development, and financial incentives to Halal exporters.”
Saifi is of the view that this disparity can be corrected with targeted support, especially under the 2026-27 national and provincial budgets. It is, however, concerning to note that the recent budget proposals have overlooked the Halal meat sector entirely. To unlock the full potential of this vital industry, Saifi has proposed the following policy interventions and fiscal measures:
- Reduction of Banking Charges
- Subsidized Solar Programs for Slaughterhouses
- Allocation of Farming Land in Disease-Free Zones
- Incentives and Rebates for Halal Meat Exports
- Halal Branding and Certification Support
- Establishment of Halal Export Processing Zones
- Veterinary Health and Traceability Infrastructure
- Cold Chain and Logistics Incentives
- Training and Skill Development Programs
While commenting on the recently announced budget he said that tax reforms are now inevitable. He said FBR, tax system, and regulatory bodies need transparency and merit. This is what is actually increasing cost of doing business in Pakistan.
“A meaningful reform bill has now been passed, which includes tax reforms along with other matters for Ease of Doing Business. Now we need to implement these requirements,” Nasib Ahmed Saifi said.
He said that for gas circular debt, a better subsidy system needs to be made, and line losses must be reduced and made controllable for improvement by focusing on alternative energy. He further said that the system of the electricity and refinery sectors should be simplified so that there is less difference between production cost and sale price. In this era of inflation, there should be a targeted subsidy system for the poor. Undocumented tax should be brought into the tax net, tax rates should be kept reasonable, and FBR and tax system should be digitized, made transparent, and made business-friendly. In the end, he emphasized that the dignity of businessmen should be protected at all costs and not every person should be harassed by authorities.