Punjab seeks federal rules to facilitate beef exports

ISLAMABAD: Punjab has asked the federal government to put in place policies for beef exports and said national agriculture policies should be aligned with provincial priorities.

The issue came up during a meeting held on Monday between Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Shah and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan. The two sides discussed the development of the agriculture and livestock sectors and reviewed ways to improve coordination between the federation and the provinces.

During the meeting, Mr Shah said meat and produce from about 300,000 livestock in Punjab were currently available for export because those animals met the required health and other standards. He asked for clarity on the procedure needed to move the export process forward.

He also told the federal side that Punjab had already introduced subsidies for tractors and other agricultural machinery. While briefing the SAPM on ongoing steps in the province’s agriculture and livestock sectors, the minister stressed that the Punjab government should be consulted in the formulation of future strategies.

Federal government outlines policy plans

Mr Khan said the government, in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives, was committed to strengthening the agriculture and livestock sectors in order to raise exports and support economic growth.

He said a comprehensive meat policy had been prepared to increase exports and help reinforce the national economy. He added that the Ministry of Industries would introduce a National Tractor Policy after consultation with all stakeholders.

According to Mr Khan, the proposed tractor policy would focus on agricultural mechanisation, harvesting solutions and the local manufacturing of tractors. He further said a separate policy would also be developed to support domestic production of harvesters.

The SAPM assured the Punjab government that the federation would fully support provinces in increasing meat exports and in building stronger connections with international markets.

Call for coordination

The meeting also underscored the need for closer coordination between the federal and provincial governments on agriculture and livestock matters. Punjab’s position, as presented by Mr Shah, was that provincial governments should be taken on board when future policy frameworks are prepared, particularly in areas linked to exports, farm mechanisation and livestock development.

The discussion reflected both Punjab’s push for clearer export procedures and the federal government’s broader policy planning for meat exports, tractor manufacturing and harvester production.