Event Overview: The 2nd Pakistan International Food, Nutrition, Healthcare Summit & Expo 2022, organized by the National Alliance for Safe Food (NAFS), featured a crucial policy dialogue on “Safe Milk Safe Nation – Right of Every Citizen.” Hosted by the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA), the session aimed to address the challenges and opportunities within Pakistan’s dairy industry, focusing on the importance of safe milk as a fundamental right of every citizen. The event took place on December 21, 2022, at the Pak China Friendship Center in Islamabad.

Policy Dialogue: The policy dialogue was expertly coordinated by Ms. Aqsa Fahim and moderated by Dr. Shahzad Amin, CEO of the Pakistan Dairy Association. The session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, Vice Chancellor of Swabi Women University, who brought her extensive experience and academic insights to the discussion.

Opening Remarks: Dr. Shahzad Amin opened the session with a compelling address, highlighting the critical role of safe milk in ensuring public health and the overall well-being of the nation. He emphasized that milk is a staple food in Pakistan and that its safety and quality must be prioritized to protect consumers and promote trust in dairy products.

Presentation on Safe Milk: Following the opening remarks, Dr. Muhammad Nasir, General Manager at Friesland, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the “Safe Milk Law, Implementation Framework, Dairy Development & Demand Generation.” Dr. Nasir outlined the current legislative framework surrounding milk safety in Pakistan and discussed the challenges in its implementation. He also highlighted the importance of developing the dairy sector to meet the growing demand for safe and nutritious milk. His presentation underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach to ensure the effective enforcement of milk safety regulations and to drive consumer awareness and demand for safe milk.

Panel Discussion: The session then moved to a panel discussion featuring esteemed panelists:

• Miss Rafia Haider, Director General of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), who provided insights into the regulatory aspects and urban planning considerations related to dairy safety.
• Prof. Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director of Riphah Institute of Public Policy, who discussed the policy implications of milk safety and the need for stronger governance and oversight.
• Dr. Nouman Rashid Siddiqui, Director of the Food Science Research Institute at NARC, who shared his expertise on the scientific and research aspects of dairy safety, including testing methods and innovation in dairy processing.
• Mr. Saud Bangash from the Pakistan Business Council, who offered perspectives from the business community, emphasizing the importance of industry collaboration and public-private partnerships to ensure milk safety and promote dairy sector growth.

The panelists engaged in a robust discussion on the various facets of milk safety, including regulatory challenges, public health implications, and the role of industry in safeguarding consumer rights. The dialogue highlighted the need for an integrated approach involving government, industry, academia, and civil society to address the issues facing the dairy sector.

Closing Remarks: The session concluded with closing remarks from the session chair, Prof. Dr. Shahana Urooj Kazmi, and the co-chair, who reinforced the importance of continuing the dialogue on milk safety and ensuring that all stakeholders work collaboratively to achieve the goal of a “Safe Milk Safe Nation.” They stressed the need for ongoing research, policy development, and public awareness campaigns to support the dairy industry’s growth while ensuring the safety and quality of milk available to consumers.

Conclusion: The policy dialogue at the 2nd Pakistan International Food, Nutrition, Healthcare Summit & Expo 2022 successfully brought together key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss the challenges and opportunities in ensuring safe milk for all citizens. The event highlighted the critical need for strong regulatory frameworks, industry commitment, and consumer education to achieve the shared goal of improving public health through safe and nutritious milk.