Overview

The Halal Symposium and Corporate Training Session, held over two days at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, brought together experts, industry leaders, scholars, and policymakers to discuss the current state, challenges, and future of the Halal industry. The event was organized by the National Alliance for Safe Food, Pakistan, in collaboration with various industry stakeholders. The symposium focused on Halal accreditation, certification, market trends, and innovations, while the training session provided in-depth knowledge on Halal certification and accreditation standards.

Day 1: Halal Symposium

The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a Naat Rasool e Maqbool and the National Anthem. The opening session included welcome addresses from prominent figures, including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Haider, Director IAGS, and Mr. Awais Khan, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food, Pakistan. The opening remarks set the stage for the discussions that followed, highlighting the significance of Halal certification in ensuring food safety, consumer trust, and global market access.

Key Addresses:

• Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, emphasized the importance of academic and industry collaboration in advancing the Halal industry.
• Mr. Imtiaz Ali Abro, Director Operations, Sindh Food Authority, discussed the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring compliance with Halal standards.
• Mr. Ateeq Ur Rehman, Director General, Pakistan National Accreditation Council, highlighted the need for robust accreditation systems to maintain the integrity of Halal certification.
• Sardar Hassan Bahadur Drashak, Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development Punjab, addressed the importance of government support in promoting the Halal industry.

Plenary Session:

The plenary session was chaired by Mr. Ateeq Ur Rehman and co-chaired by Dr. Umair Arshad, Mr. Hamed K. Latif, Hafiz Sajid Anwar, and Dr. Zafar Mahmood. The session featured presentations from experts on various aspects of Halal certification and market trends. Key presentations included:

• Prof. Dr. Abdul Mutalib Othman from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Malaysia, delivered a plenary talk on Halal market dynamics.
• Mr. Azhar Iqbal, Director Halal Accreditation, PNAC, provided an overview of PNAC’s role and the importance of Halal accreditation from an international perspective.
• Dr. Javaid Aziz Awan, Country Director IFANCA Pakistan, introduced the concept of Halal Lifestyle and its growing significance.
• Miss Yasmin Khanam, Incharge Halal Division PSQCA, discussed the role of PSQCA in setting Halal standards in Pakistan.
• Mr. Sagar Mahmood Khan, Global Head of QA, METRO AG GERMANY, presented insights on the international Halal market, particularly from the ANUGA 2019 perspective.

The session concluded with discussions on strengthening Halal accreditation through advocacy and creating an enabling environment for the Halal industry in Pakistan. The importance of Shariah compliance in Halal accreditation was also emphasized.

Panel Discussion 01:

The first panel discussion, chaired by Mr. Ateeq Ur Rehman, focused on the importance of Halal accreditation and certification for the global market. The panelists, including industry experts and scholars, discussed the challenges and opportunities in the Halal certification process and its impact on global trade.

Technical Session 01:

The first technical session featured key-note speeches and presentations on various aspects of the Halal industry, including global market opportunities, challenges in Halal food branding, and the importance of Halal food safety certification. The session also explored issues related to the import and export of Halal meat and the promotion of Halal food in the international market.

Day 2: Corporate Training Session

The second day of the event was dedicated to a corporate training session on Halal Certification and Accreditation (PS 3733:2016 & PS 4992:2016). The session was led by Mr. Azhar Iqbal, Director Halal Accreditation, PNAC, and Mufti Yousaf A.R. Khan, CEO SANHA Pakistan. Participants gained hands-on knowledge and insights into the standards and procedures required for effective Halal certification.

Technical Session 02:

The second technical session was chaired by Mr. Ateeq Ur Rehman and co-chaired by industry experts. The session covered topics such as Halal marketing, the role of Tayyib (pure and wholesome) in the Halal food sector, and the impact of Halal labeling on consumer perception. Presentations also addressed the challenges faced by Halal regulatory bodies in Pakistan and the critical role of Halal supply chain management.

Panel Discussion 02:

The second panel discussion, chaired by Prof. Dr. Anwaar Ahmed from Arid Agriculture University, focused on the current state and future prospects of the Pakistan Halal industry. The panelists discussed strategies for improving the Halal certification process, addressing regulatory challenges, and enhancing Pakistan’s position in the global Halal market.

Closing Ceremony

The event concluded with a closing ceremony, featuring remarks from key organizers and guest speakers. The ceremony included the distribution of certificates among the organizers and participants. The symposium and training session were praised for their comprehensive coverage of the Halal industry and their contribution to enhancing knowledge and collaboration among stakeholders.

Concluding Remarks:

Mr. Awais Khan, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food, Pakistan, delivered the final vote of thanks, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts to promote Halal certification and accreditation in Pakistan. The symposium and training session were successful in bringing together diverse perspectives and fostering a collaborative environment for the growth of the Halal industry in Pakistan.