Development of Poultry Sector in Punjab Vital for Economic Growth: Minister

UVAS & PPA Jointly Organize Poultry Science Conference at Expo Centre Lahore

By Our Staff Reporter Dr Ansab Ali
Lahore: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, in collaboration with the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), organized a daylong Poultry Science Conference (PSC) as part of the International Poultry Expo (PSC-IPEX) 2025 at the Expo Centre Lahore. The event aimed to promote innovation, research, and sustainable growth in Pakistan’s poultry sector.

The Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture, Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani, presided over the inaugural session, joined by UVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus (DLA.I, T.I), PPA Chairman (Central Zone) Abdul Basit, IPEX Chief Organizer Abdul Haye Mehta, and other distinguished figures including Dr Hanif Nazir Ch, Dr FM Sabir, Malik Muhammad Sharif, Dr Mustafa Kammal, and Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani. The conference attracted a large audience of academicians, researchers, veterinarians, industry professionals, and students from across Pakistan and abroad.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani assured poultry stakeholders of the government’s full support in resolving sectoral challenges.

> “The development of the poultry sector in Punjab is vital not only to increase chicken meat production but also to make affordable protein available to the public,” he said.

The Minister highlighted the Punjab government’s focus on developing world-class vaccines to safeguard livestock and poultry from diseases. He announced the creation of a disease-free zone in Bahawalnagar, aimed at ensuring traceability and international-standard meat exports.

> “Livestock is the backbone of rural Punjab’s economy,” he added, noting that most rural livelihoods depend on this sector.

UVAS Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Younus emphasized that the poultry industry is the second-largest sector after textiles, employing over 1.5 million people and contributing significantly to the national economy.
He underscored the importance of academic-industry collaboration and urged students to embrace entrepreneurship.

> “Instead of only seeking jobs, students should become job creators,” he advised.

PPA Chairman Abdul Basit raised key concerns facing the poultry industry, including rising feed costs, high electricity tariffs, and multiple taxes, which he said were burdening the sector and increasing meat prices. He called for the abolition of the Rs 10 excise duty per chick, terming it an unnecessary constraint on growth.

IPEX Chief Organizer Abdul Haye Mehta explained that the conference served as a platform for researchers, industrialists, and professionals to exchange knowledge and experiences for the betterment of the poultry industry.

Convener Dr Hanif Nazir Ch expressed gratitude to UVAS leadership, faculty, and students for their active role in making the conference a success. He encouraged students to maintain discipline and pursue professionalism to achieve leadership in their fields.

Throughout the conference, experts delivered lectures on a wide range of topics, including the use of artificial intelligence in poultry production, management of mycotoxin-induced gut dysbiosis, effects of light color on meat quality, and detection of co-infections in poultry.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to advancing Pakistan’s poultry sector through research, innovation, and sustainable industry practices.