LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is the 10th biggest country with regard to livestock production and there is a lot of potential in livestock sector in the country. While addressing the inaugural ceremony of 5th International Halal Conference and Exhibition at a local hotel on Tuesday, he said that the volume of livestock trade in the world is $1,000 billion but Pakistan’ share in this trade is almost negligible. He said that it is food for thought for policymakers, scientists and livestock experts of Sindh, Punjab, KP, Balochistan and the whole country. He said that the national economy can be strengthened through development of livestock and there is a need for practical measures in this regard. The chief minister said that a state-of-the-art slaughterhouse has been set up in provincial metropolis, which is the most modern slaughterhouse of the country, but it is lamentable that it has not been fully utilised. He said that national economy could be revived by increasing trade of Halal products, adding that law has been prepared in this regard and the bill would soon be presented in the Punjab Assembly. Minister of State of Malaysia Haji Abdul Mulk, Malaysian Honorary Consul General Abdul Rafique Karim, Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, Advisor on Livestock Arshad Jutt, delegates from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and China besides a large number of people associated with Halal industry attended the seminar. Shahbaz Sharif said that it is an honour for him to attend Halal Food Conference and he welcomes foreign and local delegates. He said holding of conference is a commendable effort of Punjab Halal Development Agency, adding that useful recommendations would come forward in the conference for increasing Halal products and an opportunity would be given to benefit from the experience of friendly countries. Shahbaz said that holding of the conference is praiseworthy but there is a need to take practical measures to increase the share of Pakistan in the trade of Halal products and development of livestock sector. “Instead of lamenting the past mistakes, it is time to move forward with commitment and determination to develop livestock sector and increase Pakistan’s share in the business of Halal products. There is also a big demand for Halal food in China, which has given us an economic package of $46 billion and a number of projects are being set up in the country under the package. Malaysian Minister of State Haji Abdul Mulk congratulated Punjab government and organisers on the holding of conference. He said that Pakistan is a super power with regard to Halal products and it should contribute its share in the business of Halal products. He said that legislation with regard to Halal products is of vital importance as otherwise availability of Halal products and services is not possible. He said that Pakistani government, especially Punjab government, has undertaken legislations in this regard, which is commendable. Punjab Halal Development Agency Chairman Justice (R) Khalilur Rehman in his welcome address highlighted aims and objectives of Halal conference and exhibition. He said that the purpose of arranging the conference is to promote Halal industry and trade. He said that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government has enforced Pakistan Halal Authority Act at the federal level and a bill has been prepared in this regard in the province, which would soon be presented in Punjab Assembly.