By Dr. Baz Muhammad Junejo<\/strong> The government\u2019s recent approval of a halal meat export policy<\/strong> marks a promising development for Pakistan\u2019s livestock sector. With vast arid and semi-arid regions suited for animal rearing, the country possesses natural advantages that can be transformed into economic strength through strategic planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Areas such as Thar in Sindh<\/strong> and Cholistan in Punjab<\/strong> offer ideal ecological conditions for meat production. Sindh alone hosts over 70 million livestock<\/strong>, accounting for nearly 26% of Pakistan\u2019s total livestock population<\/strong>. These animals include some of the country\u2019s finest breeds capable of producing premium-quality meat, milk, wool, and hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Livestock also plays a critical environmental role by improving soil fertility and supporting organic crop production. More importantly, it serves as the primary livelihood source for rural populations<\/strong>, who raise animals for milk and meat and supply them to urban markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n International experience shows that livestock productivity increases when production zones match ecological suitability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, Australia<\/strong> has designated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Australian town of Longreach<\/strong>, once a desert-like landscape similar to Thar, is now globally known as the \u201cWool Capital of the World.\u201d<\/strong> This targeted zoning strategy has enabled Australia\u2019s economy to benefit substantially from its livestock sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan\u2019s desert regions already host elite cattle breeds:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thar Region:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cholistan Region:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n These breeds exhibit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite this genetic potential, productivity is hindered by poor breeding practices, inadequate nutrition, and weak management systems.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A major issue is the premature sale of calves. Farmers in Thar reportedly sell over two million immature calves annually<\/strong> for slaughter. This results in significant economic loss because animals are marketed before reaching optimal weight and value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Designating Thar and Cholistan as official meat production zones<\/strong> could transform the sector. Establishing cooperative-based meat companies would allow farmers access to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Such measures could:<\/p>\n\n\n\n To maximize the benefits of the halal meat export initiative:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan possesses immense livestock resources, suitable climate zones, and genetically superior breeds. What remains is coordinated planning, scientific management, and policy continuity. With these elements in place, the livestock sector can become a powerful engine for rural prosperity, export growth, and national economic stability.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Halal Meat Export Policy Opens New Economic Pathways for Rural Growth and National Prosperity By Dr. Baz Muhammad JunejoFormer Secretary, Livestock & Fisheries, Government of Sindh Key Highlights A Policy… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[3357,3359,3361,2719,3360],"class_list":["post-7776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dairy-and-livestock-insights","tag-cholistan-cattle-breeds","tag-halal-meat-export-policy","tag-meat-production-pakistan","tag-pakistan-livestock-sector","tag-thar-livestock-farming"],"yoast_head":"\n
Former Secretary, Livestock & Fisheries, Government of Sindh<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nKey Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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A Policy Step in the Right Direction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Untapped Potential of Arid Regions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Global Lessons: The Zoning Model<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Indigenous Breeds with High Economic Value<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Challenge: Premature Slaughter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Way Forward: Strategic Livestock Development<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Policy Recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n