STAFF REPORT ISB: The National Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Pakistan Halal Authority.
This authority would help promote Halal food products trade and capture Pakistans share in the trillions of dollars international Halal food business.
The Pakistan Halal Authority Bill envisions purposes of imports and exports with foreign countries and inter-provincial trade and commerce in all such articles and processes, which are described or represented as being Halal.
The proposed Authority will be tasked to recommend “Halal standards for government-notified articles and processes for adoption by a National Standards Body in accordance with comprehensive guidelines of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), provide for certification of Halal products and authorize a halal logo.
Presently, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and many states of Middle East have successfully running the Halal food business and grab major shares of the international Halal food markets.
According to the bill, among Halal animals are listed domestic animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, camels, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys; non-predatory animals such as deer, antelope, chamois, wild cattle; and non-predatory birds such as pigeons, sparrows, quails, starlings, and ostriches.