LAHORE (23-10-25): The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore in collaboration with Pakistan Poultry Association arranged daylong Poultry Science Conference (PSC) in connection with ‘International Poultry Expo (PSC-IPEX) 2025’ at Expo Centre Lahore for the uplift of poultry sector in Pakistan.
Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani presided over the inaugural session of Poultry Science Conference while UVAS Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus (DLA.I, T.I), PPA Chairman (Central Zone) Mr Abdul Basit, IPEX Chief Organizer Abdul Haye Mehta, Convener PSC Dr Hanif Nazir Ch, Chief Executive Officer Sabir Poultry Dr FM Sabir, Vice Chairman North Region PPA Malik Muhammad Sharif, Dr Mustafa Kammal, Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani and a large number of academicians from different universities, researchers, veterinarians, professionals/scientists from veterinary/animal sciences, medical sciences, public health/environmental sciences and stakeholders from poultry industries, teachers & students, national and international experts from different countries attending the conference.
While addressing the audience, Minister Livestock Mr Syed Muhammad Ashiq Hussain Shah Kirmani said that for the development of the poultry sector in Punjab I assure the poultry stakeholders that our doors are always open for your every possible assistance and as a your lawyer I will support you in resolving the issues facing the poultry sector in Punjab so that not only does the production of chicken meat increase in the country but also the public gets to eat chicken meat at cheap prices which is an easy and cheap way to obtain protein. He said that the Punjab government is paying special attention to developing world-class vaccines in its institutions to keep the poultry and livestock sector safe from diseases, he adding that livestock is a basic component of agriculture and most of the livelihood of the rural population of Punjab is dependent on livestock. He said that the government of Punjab is creating a disease-free compartment to protect the livestock sector from deadly diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and in this regard, a disease-free zone is being created in Bahawalnagar where not only the problems of animal traceability will be solved rather the meat of livestock will also be free from all kinds of diseases according to international standards which will be exported to other countries. He further said that I am very happy to see the stalls set up by various industries at the Poultry Expo and it depict the poultry sector is developing rapidly in our country. He said that the biggest benefit of such a conference is that all stakeholders come together under one roof and share their experiences with each other.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Muhammad Younus said that poultry sector is one of the most vibrant segments and 2nd largest industry in Pakistan after textile. He said it provides employment to over 1.5 million peoples and contribute vital role in the national economy of Pakistan. He said such conferences are very necessary for students and researchers and they gain maximum innovative knowledge and experiences from national & international experts. He said UVAS producing every year trained graduate who serving in livestock and poultry industry and playing their key role in the uplift of national economy of Pakistan. Emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship Prof Younus advised the students to start their own businesses in the future and become job creators themselves instead of looking for jobs after completing their degrees.
Mr Abdul Basit said that the poultry sector in the country is facing rising poultry feed prices, poultry management, expensive electricity tariff rates and various taxes imposed by the government which burden the poultry sector which not only reduces the production of chicken meat but also causes the meat to be expensive. Abdul Basit also demanded the immediate abolition of the Rs 10 excise duty on the purchase of each chick, which imposed on the poultry sector.
Earlier Abdul Haye Mehta spoke about main objectives of the conference were to provide a platform to bring together academia, researchers, poultry farmers/professionals, industrialists where national and international experts where they can share their research work, knowledge and experience for the uplift of poultry sector. Dr Hanif Nazir Ch thanked UVAS leadership, faculty and students to make this poultry science conference successful with their active participation and dedicated efforts for arrangements. He also advised the students to be punctual and perform professional work as leaders to succeed in life.
During poultry science conference many experts delivered their lectures on different topics related to
use of artificial intelligence in poultry production, targeting mycotoxin and necrotic interties induce gut dysbiosis in poultry, effect of different light colour correlated temperatures on dressing percentage, detection of co infection of chicken anemia virus and impact of various broiler holding period in the open market on meat quality etc.
