Pakistan sets $200m halal meat export plan for Malaysia

November 28, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan has finalized a detailed business plan to expand halal meat exports to Malaysia to $ 200 million within the next three to five years, a major escalation from the current export value of just $38,000.

The plan was approved during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday, bringing together senior federal ministers, the Prime Minister’s Office, technical consultants, and public- and private-sector stakeholders, according to the press release. 

Chaired jointly by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar Khan, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, and Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, the session reviewed and endorsed the final export blueprint that outlines market requirements, compliance steps, and timelines for each involved ministry and institution.

Officials said the plan is built around a coordinated approach involving the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of National Food Security, provincial livestock departments, exporters, processors, and the banking sector.

Time-bound tasks have been assigned to ensure supply-chain readiness, disease-control measures, certification improvements, and export-grade processing capacity.

The committee highlighted major challenges holding back Pakistan’s meat exports, including persistent foot-and-mouth disease concerns, gaps in processing facilities, and logistics constraints that raise costs and limit competitiveness.

The approved plan includes establishing modern slaughterhouses that meet Malaysian import standards and strengthening veterinary controls to secure certification.

Haroon Akhtar Khan said the government will grant the halal meat sector full “industry status,” enabling structured policy support, easier financing, and targeted incentives.

He noted that the framework was developed through joint consultation and is designed to provide a clear operational path for meeting the $200m target.

Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan said the package shows consensus across all sectors involved, adding that financial facilitation will be essential.

He said the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial banks, and both federal and provincial governments will support exporters to reduce costs and improve compliance.

Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stressed that upgrading slaughtering and processing infrastructure will be central to regaining competitiveness in the Malaysian market, which imports halal meat from major global suppliers such as Australia, India, and Brazil.

Concluding the meeting, Haroon Akhtar Khan said that the incentives and structural reforms under the plan aim to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global halal beef market and enable the country to expand its export footprint in Southeast Asia.

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