Pakistan To Verify Halal Food Integrity At Import/Export Stage

The Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) has decided to verify the halal integrity of food products at the import and export stage for ensuring the integrity of Halal ingredients.

The Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) has decided to control food products at the import and export stage for ensuring the quality and Halal ingredients of the products.

Talking to APP, Director General, Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA), Akhtar A. Bughio said that PHA would establish offices at Port Qasim, Karachi Port Trust and Gwadar Port to examine the Halal status of the food items.

He said that all imported, exported, and manufactured products shall be made traceable by introducing QR codes where customers and consumers will be able to get detailed information of the products being Halal or Haram by just a single click using a mobile application. Moreover, all the products being manufactured in Pakistan will bear the Halal Logo as an endorsement of being a certified Halal product.

PHA authority is responsible for ascertaining the Halal status of the products, processes, and services maintained and monitored at all times in the local market as well as products being imported/ exported, he added.

The PHA has also set a target to make Pakistan a trendsetter in Global Halal Industry through continuous improvement and innovations by assuring global community trust and confidence in Halal products and services.

Furthermore, PHA will promote the trade and commerce of Pakistan‘s Halal products in the national and international markets.

To a question, he said that the worth of Halal trade in the international market was more than US3 trillion dollars. Mostly, non-Muslims countries are playing a leading role in Halal trade. Pakistan, despite being a Muslim country has a nominal share in this emerging market.

The scope of the Halal sector also covers a wide range of items such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food supplements, he added.

Talking about the provision of halal meat to public, he said that all slaughterhouses will be registered and certified by PHA. He further mentioned that the authority is also working to facilitate slaughterhouses for business growth. PHA would also build public-private collaborations to explore business opportunities adding that “We should also target trade with China and GCC countries where there is big scope of meat exports“.

Commenting about the export of meat and other halal products, he said that it is high time for Pakistani businessmen to compete and raise the standards of Pakistani products and services. PHA has also initiated MoU/ MRA with SFDA and looking forward to other countries resolving the issues of the Halal industry on a priority basis to promote export opportunities. However, our business community needs to follow international requirements for getting certifications as no country can compete in the global market without compliance with importing country requirements.

The DG said the purpose of this authority was to promote imports and exports, trade, and commerce at the inter-provincial and international level in Halal articles and processes. Therefore, the authority would also coordinate with national and international organizations for strengthening the Halal sector and promote and encourage the establishment of libraries and laboratories to develop the Halal sector.

So far, Pakistan has not been a significant player in the growing halal food industry globally. However, it is hoped that the country will consistently make efforts to get a larger share of the global halal market in the coming years.