Pakistan targets up to $50bn in halal exports with certification push

Pakistan is seeking a larger share of the international halal economy by expanding certified, value-added exports and strengthening cooperation with overseas regulators and buyers, government and industry representatives said at the first Pakistan Halal Forum in Karachi.

The Pakistan Halal Authority said the country could pursue annual halal exports worth between $40 billion and $50 billion by moving beyond raw materials and developing products that meet internationally accepted certification and traceability requirements. No deadline, investment plan or binding export target was announced.

The forum was organised by the Halal Development Council and co-organised by the Pakistan Halal Authority and International Halal Certification. Participants discussed opportunities extending beyond meat and food into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, logistics, modest fashion, tourism and Islamic finance.

Science and Technology Minister Khalid Hussain Magsi said science, innovation and modern technology would be essential for making Pakistan’s halal sector internationally competitive. He also called for stronger institutional capacity at the national regulator and greater cooperation with international organisations to improve market access.

Forum organisers estimated the global halal economy at approximately $3 trillion and said Pakistan currently holds less than a one per cent share despite having the world’s second-largest Muslim population. They proposed a unified national halal mark and standard to improve trust in Pakistani products and reduce fragmentation in certification.

Industry representatives identified weak laboratory capacity, inconsistent certification, limited branding, insufficient product innovation and poor participation in international trade exhibitions as major obstacles. They said more than 1,000 Pakistani companies had obtained internationally recognised halal certification, but many businesses remained focused on traditional exports rather than higher-value products.

Pakistan already has halal accreditation and standards frameworks, but international sales depend on whether importing markets recognise certificates and remain confident in compliance throughout the supply chain. Producers may need stronger testing, cold storage, packaging, traceability and audit systems to compete with established exporters.

The forum proposed closer public-private cooperation, dedicated halal economic zones, support programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises and investment facilitation for producers. Organisers also plan to make the event an annual platform connecting Pakistani companies with buyers in the Gulf, Malaysia, Indonesia and other potential markets.

The $40 billion to $50 billion figure represents an ambition rather than a guaranteed outcome. Achieving even part of it will require measurable export plans, internationally recognised standards, sector-specific targets and sustained investment. The next test will be whether the forum’s proposals are converted into funded programmes, regulatory reforms and confirmed commercial agreements.