PNN: Pakistan has achieved significant progress in trade and educational cooperation with Tajikistan, driven by initiatives of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Under a landmark agreement, Pakistan will export 143,000 tons of halal meat to Tajikistan, with the deal valued at $14.5 million. Officials said that with effective trade facilitation measures, bilateral trade between the two countries could expand to $300 million, strengthening regional economic integration and cooperation.
Alongside trade, both countries have taken notable steps in the education sector. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been announced to facilitate the exchange of students and teachers, aimed at promoting academic collaboration and cultural understanding.
The development follows recent agreements between Pakistan and Brazil to expand cooperation in the livestock, dairy, and meat sectors, reflecting Pakistan’s growing emphasis on international partnerships in key industries.
Earlier, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif approved the Halal Meat Export Policy and directed authorities to present a comprehensive three-year strategy within two weeks to boost halal meat exports.
Presiding over a meeting on meat export policy and sectoral reforms, the prime minister stressed the need for a coordinated approach involving relevant federal ministries and provincial governments to substantially increase Pakistan’s share in global halal meat markets, particularly in Muslim countries.
He instructed the committee formed to enhance halal meat exports to submit practical and achievable proposals to improve livestock production, cold storage facilities, and related infrastructure. The prime minister also directed authorities to adopt special measures to increase halal meat production in line with international standards and ensure competitiveness with regional producers.