STAFF REPORT ISB: The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is not aware of any haram or forbidden products being sold in the country at present. But different edible products are tested at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR), when requested, to confirm that they have no prohibited ingredients.

“According to the Trade Policy 2012-15, the import of all edible products is subject to the condition that they are free of any haram element or ingredient,” Minister for SandT Zahid Hamid said this while responding to a question asked by a member, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah.

He added the PCSIR Lahore has the capability to provide testing services to the public and private sectors to examine product content.

In order to establish an effective formal mechanism, the ministry intends to set up Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA) through an act of parliament.

Hamid added that a draft of PHA Act 2014 had been prepared in consultation with relevant ministries and provincial governments, which would be submitted to parliament after completing formalities.

“Following its establishment, the ministry will be able to promote import and export, trade and commerce with foreign countries and inter-provincial trade in halal articles,” he said.

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