Pakistan Launches Halal Meat Exports to Tajikistan, Eyes $14.5M Trade Boost

Pakistan is ramping up its presence in Central Asia with the launch of halal meat exports to Tajikistan, a move expected to generate $14.5 million in trade, according to reports by ProPakistani and Mettis Global.

Ambassador Muhammad Saeed Sarwar, Pakistan’s envoy to Tajikistan, announced the initiative during a briefing in Dushanbe, revealing plans to export 143,000 tons of halal meat. “This is a major step in expanding Pakistan-Tajikistan trade and boosting our halal product footprint,” Sarwar said.

The ambassador also highlighted the potential for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two nations, calling it a strong possibility. He noted that such agreements and trade liberalization could push bilateral commerce to $300 million in the coming years, creating new opportunities for businesses on both sides.

Direct flights between Pakistan and Tajikistan are also on the agenda, with Sarwar emphasizing the need for marketing strategies and travel agent involvement to support regular operations, tourism, and business exchanges.

On the educational front, Tajikistan’s First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Hoshimzoda Homid Hasan, confirmed that the two countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate student and faculty exchanges. Hasan praised Avicenna Tajik State Medical University for strengthening bilateral ties and underscored institutional collaboration as a shared goal for both governments.

Central Asia, particularly Tajikistan, is considered strategically important for Pakistan, with the embassy working to advance not only trade but also academic, medical, and people-to-people relations. Hasan highlighted that collaboration in medical tourism and sciences could further drive economic growth and cement long-term bilateral ties.

This halal meat export initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to integrate Pakistan more deeply into Central Asian markets while fostering cultural, educational, and economic linkages. Analysts say the move signals Pakistan’s growing ambition to become a leading supplier of halal products in the region.

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