Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the federal government will establish a national plant to manufacture modern vaccines for animals using its own resources. The decision follows revelations that animal vaccines currently available in the country lack approval from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), creating an urgent need for safe, domestically produced alternatives. During a high-level review of the sector, the prime minister also directed officials to overhaul the Livestock and Dairy Development Board to improve its performance.
Vaccine Plant at NARC
Chairing the meeting on livestock sector reforms, the prime minister instructed authorities to present a detailed strategy within one week to set up the facility at the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC). The planned facility aims to supply certified, modern vaccines directly to farmers, addressing longstanding quality and safety concerns across local supply chains.
Officials told the meeting that reliance on unapproved vaccines had hindered disease management in farm animals. Domestic production under DRAP standards is intended to protect animal health and strengthen herd productivity across the country.
Overhaul of the Development Board
To align institutional support with commercial needs, Prime Minister Sharif ordered the comprehensive restructuring of the Livestock and Dairy Development Board. Established in 2007, the body was created to enhance livestock breeding, expand dairy output, and raise meat yields. Officials were told to prepare a restructuring plan without delay, bringing in private-sector specialists to make the organisation more effective.
Sharif stressed that private enterprise must drive the modernisation of the country's livestock industry, with state institutions playing an enabling role.
Boosting Meat and Dairy Exports
The meeting also evaluated initiatives to expand meat and dairy exports. Officials reported that third-party audits of slaughterhouses have commenced to ensure international sanitary standards are met.
Additionally, the prime minister directed authorities to establish special bonded warehouses for imported livestock so the animals can be integrated into value-addition processes for export. Several federal ministers, including Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ahsan Iqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, and Jam Kamal Khan, attended the review alongside senior department heads.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Wazir-e-Azam Shehbaz Sharif ne janwaron ki beemarion se bachao ke liye NARC mein ek qoumi vaccine plant lagane ka hukum diya hai. Is waqt mulk mein dastyab bohot si animal vaccines DRAP se manzoor shuda nahi hain. Hukumat Livestock and Dairy Development Board ko bhi behtar banaye gi taake doodh aur gosht ki pedawar barhai ja sake. Is qadam se kisanon ke janwar mehfooz rahenge aur gosht export karne mein asaani hogi.
