Ali Nawaz Rahimoo
Pakistan’s livestock sector possesses enormous untapped potential to drive economic growth, reduce rural poverty, increase exports, and strengthen food security. Agriculture remains the backbone of the national economy, and livestock contributes nearly 60 percent of agricultural value addition while supporting the livelihoods of millions of rural families. Across the country from the deserts of Thar and Cholistan to the irrigated plains of Punjab and the mountainous regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan livestock serves as a vital source of income, nutrition, and employment.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the sector, the federal government has recently emphasized improving Pakistan’s halal meat export industry through practical reforms in production systems, cold storage infrastructure, disease control, breeding, and international certification. Authorities have also assured full support for internationally certified slaughterhouses and bilateral agreements with importing countries to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the rapidly growing global halal meat market.
The global halal food industry is expanding rapidly, with rising demand for certified halal meat products in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries. Pakistan, being one of the world’s major livestock-producing nations, has natural advantages that can help it become a leading exporter of halal meat and livestock products. Despite having millions of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and camels, Pakistan’s share in the international meat trade remains significantly lower than countries such as Australia, Brazil, and India.
This gap exists mainly because of weak livestock management systems, inadequate cold chain facilities, limited meat processing industries, insufficient veterinary services, and poor compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. Modernizing the livestock sector and introducing scientific management can transform it into one of the strongest pillars of Pakistan’s economy.
Province-wise livestock development is essential for unlocking this potential because each province possesses unique climatic conditions, indigenous breeds, and production capacities that require region-specific planning and investment.
Punjab is Pakistan’s largest milk-producing province and possesses extensive irrigated areas ideal for dairy farming. The province is internationally known for high-yield breeds such as Sahiwal cattle and Nili-Ravi buffaloes, which are recognized globally for superior milk production. Southern Punjab, especially the Cholistan region, also has considerable potential for meat production through the Cholistani breed. By expanding modern dairy farms, milk processing industries, feed industries, artificial insemination services, and veterinary healthcare systems, Punjab can further strengthen its role as the country’s dairy hub.
Sindh also holds enormous potential for dairy and meat production. The province’s desert belt extending from Badin through Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, and Sanghar is home to some of the finest indigenous cattle breeds in Pakistan, including the Tharparkar and Kankrej breeds. These animals are highly adaptable to harsh climatic conditions and are known for producing quality milk and meat even in drought-prone environments.
For the rural communities of Thar and surrounding districts, livestock is often more important than crop farming because recurring droughts and water scarcity severely affect agriculture. Cattle, goats, sheep, and camels provide families with milk, meat, transportation, and a stable source of income during difficult times.
Sindh’s Tharparkar breed, commonly known as the “white cattle of the desert,” has exceptional resistance to heat and drought and survives with limited fodder and water resources. Buffalo farming is also highly developed in peri-urban areas around Karachi and Hyderabad, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s milk supply. Thousands of rural women actively participate in livestock care, milk processing, and household dairy production, making livestock an important source of women’s economic empowerment as well.
However, the livestock sector in Sindh continues to face serious challenges, including poor veterinary facilities, weak market systems, inadequate breeding services, and lack of modern feedlot infrastructure. Due to poverty and financial pressures, farmers often sell weak and immature calves to butchers before they reach full growth potential. Every year, millions of calves are slaughtered prematurely, resulting in major economic losses and reduced meat productivity.
If Thar and surrounding desert areas are developed as specialized meat production zones through scientific breeding, vaccination campaigns, cooperative farming systems, and modern feedlots, Sindh can become a major center for halal meat exports. Establishing meat processing plants, refrigerated transport systems, and cold storage facilities near livestock-producing regions can greatly improve meat quality and export competitiveness.
Sindh also possesses strong potential for organic meat and dairy production because animals in desert and rural regions are largely raised through natural grazing systems with limited use of artificial feed. Such organic livestock products can attract premium international markets, particularly in Gulf countries where demand for certified halal and organic food products continues to increase.
To Be Continued
