Pakistan’s only 2bn out of 30bn litre milk meets int’l safety standards

LAHORE: Planning and Development (P&D) Board Chairman Barrister Nabeel Ahmad Awan presided over a meeting on dairy development challenges in Punjab on Friday. The representatives from relevant industry participated in the meeting.

It was highlighted in the meeting that while Pakistan is the 5th largest milk producer globally but only two billion out of 30 billion litre milk meet the international safety standards.

Barrister Nabeel Awan said Punjab, producing country’s 60% milk, played a pivotal role in improving milk safety. Public-private partnerships can drive the necessary advancements, benefiting both public health and the provincial economy.

Strengthened policies could help reduce child malnutrition, which affects over 40% of children under five in Punjab, he added.

He emphasised the need for a comprehensive safe milk framework and called for a consultation session with experts in January to address key issues.

The meeting was attended by former Federal Secretary Waqar Masood, Member Agriculture Aslam Javaid, Member Health Shafaat Ali, Consultant P&D Board Javed Latif and others participated.