PM Approves Plan To Boost Livestock Exports
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Oct, 2026) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday approved a strategy to enhance livestock exports through importing livestock, rearing them in specialized farms, and subsequently exporting them.
He emphasized the need for duty-free imports of livestock for these designated farms. The Prime Minister also backed the restructuring of the livestock sector along corporate lines, relying on reforms implemented by private sector experts.
Key Decisions:
- Specialized Farms: Establishment of specialized farms for livestock exports, focusing on high-yield and superior-breed animals.
- Livestock Tagging: Introduction of a modern livestock tagging system to ensure exported livestock originate from these farms.
- Corporate Model: Reorganization of the livestock sector based on a corporate model, leveraging private sector expertise.
- Eradication of Diseases: Development of a comprehensive plan to eradicate Foot-and-Mouth Disease within two weeks.
- International Certification: Ensuring international certification for slaughterhouses nationwide and third-party validation to meet global standards.
Sectoral Potential:
- Livestock accounts for over 60 percent of Pakistan's agricultural sector, presenting significant export opportunities.
- The country possesses approximately 245 million livestock with a total estimated value of Rs 5.5 trillion.
- Annual production includes around 74.69 million tons of milk and 6.31 million tons of meat.
Challenges:
- Despite the substantial sector contribution, small-scale rearing and a fragmented supply chain limit full export potential.
- There is scope to dramatically increase Pakistan's meat exports, currently valued at approximately $530 million in 2025-26.