The Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA) recently organized a high-level National Seminar to mark World Milk Day following the theme of “Safe Milk, Safe Nation: Affordable Dairy for a Healthier Nation.” The seminar brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and dairy experts to promote a national transition towards safer, packaged milk and explore the strategic role of the formal dairy sector in advancing public health, food security, and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Shehzad Amin, Chief Operating Officer of Pakistan Dairy Association, opened the session by highlighting the importance of shifting away from the widespread use of loose, unpackaged milk, which continues to pose serious health risks due to contamination and inconsistent quality standards. He emphasized that adopting high-quality, packaged milk is essential for safeguarding public health and enabling long-term growth in the dairy sector.
Addressing the role of dairy in fighting malnutrition, Ms. Farrah Naz, Country Director of GAIN Pakistan, highlighted the transformative potential of milk in reducing stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies in children. “Dairy is not just nutrition; it’s a lifeline,” she remarked. There is a critical need to reduce import taxes and duties on essential ingredients such as vitamin and mineral premixes, proteins, and other fortification components that are used in the production of nutritious foods. Lowering these taxes will enhance affordability and accessibility for food manufacturers, ultimately contributing to the reduction of malnutrition by ensuring that nutrient-rich food products reach vulnerable populations at lower costs.
Adding to this perspective, Mr. Noor Aftab, Director Corporate Affairs – Pakistan & MENA at Tetra Pak, underscored the role of innovation in processing and packaging. “Milk is more than daily nutrition—it’s a foundation for public health, food resilience, and economic progress. At Tetra Pak, we remain committed to enabling safe, affordable dairy access across Pakistan through advanced technologies and industry collaboration” he noted.
The seminar featured focused discussions on regulatory reforms, standardization, certification, and enforcement mechanisms necessary for ensuring milk safety. Key officials, including Mr. Muhammad Asim Javaid, the Director General of the Punjab Food Authority, and Mr. Saqib Ali Ateel, the Secretary for Livestock & Dairy Development, shared institutional strategies for quality assurance and public awareness. The role of the private sector in driving innovation and ensuring consistent supply of safe milk was also emphasized during various stakeholder discussions.
A technical session on “Safe Milk and Safe Nation” addressed the affordability and accessibility of safe dairy for all citizens. Panelists explored practical pathways for making milk a fundamental right rather than a privilege and discussed how coordinated action between government, industry, and civil society can foster consumer trust in packaged milk.
Senior government ministers representing health, education, minorities, and agriculture lent policy-level perspectives on integrating dairy development with broader social goals such as child nutrition, school milk programs, and rural economic uplift.
By uniting public and private sector voices on a common platform, the seminar reaffirmed PDA’s commitment to accelerating the shift towards a safer, healthier, and more resilient dairy ecosystem in Pakistan.
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