LAHORE: The third International Halal Conference concluded at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) with the signing of ‘Lahore Declaration’, which calls for taking appropriate measures to promote trade of Halal industry, including food and non-food products.

Before signing the declaration, representatives of Halal trade and industry, government functionaries, organisations and institutions from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Pakistan deliberated on the issues of Halal trade and industry and measures needed to promote it. Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha chaired the declaration signing ceremony.

The signatories resolved to strengthen relationships among leaders, economic planners, producers, consumers and to promote harmony, peace, compassion, kindness among the stakeholders of Pakistan Halal trade industry and the world by establishing connectivity between national and international markets. They called for raising awareness about Shariah principles and ensure their strict compliance.

To ensure Halal and Tayyub products and services, the signatories affirmed that the utilisation of Islamic finance free from Riba was essential as it recognised that a product produced or service rendered by employing Riba-infested finance would remain Haram despite following the Shariah compliant process of production.

They also agreed to take measures to facilitate and share facilities for capacity building of stakeholders of the Halal trade and industry.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2014