ISLAMABAD: After a delay of around five years, the federal cabinet on Wednesday finally approved rules for the Pakistan Halal Authority (PHA), enabling it to operate in the country.
The PHA was established through an act of parliament in an attempt to promote foreign and inter-provincial trade and commerce in halal goods and processes.
The PHA is responsible for ascertaining the halal status of products, processes and services maintained and monitored at all time in the local market as well as products being imported and exported.
However, after the legislation, the authority was not fully functional due to the lack of required rules including rules of business, service rules and certificate mark regulation etc., which prevented Pakistan from capitalising on the huge potential of international halal market.
Even after the appointment of a regular director general over a year ago, the authority could not become functional as the relevant authorities and ministries were delaying the due process.
According to sources, Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz recently took interest in the matter and approved the already-processed rules of the authority on Wednesday. “Alhamdulillah! Another milestone achieved. Halal Authority Rules and Regulations pending since 2016 approved by the federal cabinet,” the minister said in a tweet.
Shibli said that the development could help Pakistan enter the huge international market of halal food. “PHA is ready to enter the global halal market of over $750 billion,” said the minister.
As per PHA officials, trade trends are evolving globally and new patterns of trade and production are being observed with the halal market being considered a new commercial paradigm. The halal market based on the needs and preferences of an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide has emerged as a powerful commercial arena. PHA assures compliance to international, regional, and national standards, as well as laws, rules and policies on halal products, processes and services.
It may be mentioned here that in the absence of service rules, the authority was also unable to recruit required technical officials and staff. A recruitment process initiated by the authority last year had also become disputed due to the absence of service rules. Soon after, a case regarding the same issue is also reportedly in the courts.
Interestingly, despite completing the process of making and approving rules for the PHA, at least four attached departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology, including PHA were being shifted to the Ministry of Commerce.
It may be recalled here that earlier, Shibli Faraz had emphasised the development of a mechanism for increasing the capabilities of institutions linked with the halal food industry, adding that universities should also be a part of the process.
The minister has also resolved to increase cooperation with Islamic countries in extending research in the field, besides improving the quality of halal food.
