Minister announces to give Halal accreditation, certification under one window

By Syed Sajid Aziz
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Minister of Science and Technology, Zahid Hamid has assured the private sector to provide full assistance in promotion of Halal brands; establishment of one window under Ministry of Science for Accreditation and certification of companies.

Addressing to the World Halal Assembly held in Islamabad recently, the Minister announced that very soon the law would be presented in the National Assembly for the approval after it is being recommended by all stakeholders. 

The World Halal Assembly was jointly organized by the Halal Products and Services Association of Pakistan (HAP) and the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), duly supported by the Standards and Metrology Institute of Islamic Countries (SMIIC), mandated by the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) to work on the Halal Standards and Accreditation. 

The guest of honour, Ayatollah Hassan Alemi, representative of Supreme Leader in Jihad-e-Agriculture, Iran, in his speech had emphasized on the need of harmonization and cooperation in order to achieve ‘One Halal’ logo and ‘One Halal’ standard. 

He informed that his government is fully supporting the SMIIC agenda. Furthermore, he informed his government priorities for the promotion of Halal brands, imports and exports procedures and the latest development made by his Ministry.

Later, in the sessions, the international Halal industry experts from all over the world gave comprehensive information to the audience; addressed the issues and challenges related to Halal business, certification, accreditation and marketing. 

They also highlighted the role of trade bodies in promotion of Halal trade and highlighted the issues which could be taken up by the governments for promotion of Halal exports. 

The Chairman, HAP, Kazi Asad Abid and the Senior Vice Chairman, Asad Sajjad, in their speeches and presentations, threw light on the opportunities available and how to enter in this trillion-dollar Halal market to give a boost to the efforts of government to achieve desired export results. 

Pir Buksh Jamali, Director General, PSQCA stated that the World Halal Assembly was the largest Halal gathering in the region. He revealed that the delegates have given overwhelming response. 

Several cooperation agreements were signed during the World Halal Assembly between Pakistani companies and standardized bodies for the export of Pakistani Halal products. These MoUs would help Pakistan to increase the Halal exports of Pakistan in big volume.