Pakistan could unlock $40–50 billion in Halal exports by moving beyond raw material shipments and focusing on certified, value-added products, speakers said at a media roundtable in Karachi on Friday.

The roundtable took place at the Pearl Continental Hotel ahead of the Pakistan Halal Forum 2026. It carried the theme, “Beyond Compliance: The Next Generation of Halal Innovation.” Representatives from the government, private sector and international Halal organisations attended the briefing.

Asad Sajjad, Chairman of the Organising Committee for Pakistan Halal Forum 2026, said the event aims to position Pakistan as a global Halal hub rather than simply a consumer market.

“Despite being the second-largest Muslim population in the world, Pakistan’s share in the $3 trillion global Halal economy is less than 1 percent. Our goal is to bring government, private sector and global bodies on one platform to unlock Pakistan’s $40-50 billion export potential, support SMEs and build one National Halal Mark,” he said.

Sajjad announced that the main Pakistan Halal Forum 2026 will take place in December. Organisers expect participation from more than 30 countries, over 100 exhibitors and international buyers.

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The forum will follow a public-private partnership model. Its priorities will include value addition, investment and export facilitation.

Halal Sector Expanding Beyond Food

Mufti Zeeshan Abdulaziz, CEO of International Halal Certification (IHC), said the global Halal industry now extends well beyond food products.

“Halal is now a global standard for quality, hygiene and safety. It has moved beyond food to Pharma, Cosmetics, Logistics, Modest Fashion and Tourism. The next generation of Halal is about trust through technology – QR code traceability, Blockchain verification and AI-based audit,” he said.

He added that IHC’s global accreditation is accepted in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Malaysia and Indonesia. He said this recognition could help Pakistani products access international markets.

The roundtable ended with a question-and-answer session with journalists, followed by a networking hi-tea.