Economic recovery: PM declares agri, livestock as ‘most immediate route’

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday declared agriculture and livestock as the most immediate route to the country’s economic recovery, saying it could revive its fortunes within a year if it moved decisively towards modern technology, research and higher-value production. Addressing a national seminar on “Harnessing Pakistan’s Livestock Potential, ” the prime minister said the country’s agricultural wealth had remained largely untapped despite its fertile land, abundant water resources and millions of hardworking farmers. The challenge, he added, was not a shortage of potential but a failure to modernise. READ MORE: PM Shehbaz orders comprehensive national agriculture policy “Agriculture and livestock constitute the single sector where, if we work with complete, undivided focus, we can revive our economy within a single year, ” he said. He also announced that the federal government would provide 100 percent funding for the development of a locally produced vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease, describing disease control as a critical step towards expanding livestock exports. “Without effectively controlling this disease, increasing livestock exports will remain a distant goal, ” he said. Sharif said agriculture and livestock were among the largest pillars of the country’s economy, providing livelihoods for a substantial share of the population. Yet, he added, outdated methods, limited research and weak adoption of technology had prevented the sector from reaching its full potential. Pakistan, he noted, is the world’s fourth-largest milk producer, but has struggled to turn that production into greater economic returns through processing and value-added products. “What is our level of value addition in this area, ” he asked. “Take meat as another example. The global meat trade is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Our potential is immense. ” Seeking to bridge the technology gap, the prime minister said Pakistan was advancing discussions with China to transform the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) into a more modern and capable institution. He said cooperation with Beijing would help strengthen agricultural research, improve technical expertise and introduce advanced farming practices. Artificial intelligence, information technology and other emerging technologies could reshape Pakistan’s agriculture and livestock industries, he said, urging federal and provincial governments to work together to unlock the sector’s economic promise. The prime minister also announced that another 1, 000 agriculture graduates from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) would be sent to China this year for specialised training at government expense, building on a similar initiative launched last year. At the seminar, the prime minister also inaugurated the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving livestock productivity through genetic advancement, disease surveillance and stronger links between farmers, researchers and government institutions. For a country that has long struggled with economic pressures and export constraints, the prime minister presented agriculture and livestock not merely as traditional sectors, but as engines of growth capable of reshaping Pakistan’s economic future. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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