International Symposium on Poultry Health Challenges.

FAISALABAD April 15: The poultry sector has emerged the second largest sector after textile and growing with a large pace, but the sector faces disease-related economic losses worth billions of rupees for which collaborative efforts on the part of veterinarians, industry and farming community will help combat the challenges. It was said by experts at inaugural session of the International Symposium on Poultry Health Challenges jointly arranged by Department of Pathology UAF and World Veterinary Poultry Association on Wednesday. University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said that the poultry has emerged second largest industry enabling the population to meet the nutritional needs. We must navigate the rising prevalence of health disorders that threaten the livelihood. He called for advancing 'One Health' integration to safeguard public health as the health of our poultry is inextricably linked to the health of people . He said that after meeting the demands of our population, we have to tap the regional and global halal market and earn forex. He added that poultry meat showed the strongest growth (9.4 percent), reaching 2.58 million tonnes in 2025, due to intensified production practices. He also said that collaborative efforts between academia, industry and farming community are essential to safeguard poultry production and strengthen food security in the country. Director General Research, Livestock & Dairy Development Department Punjab, Dr Sajjad Hussain stressed the need for effective disease surveillance systems to timely detect and control outbreaks to ensure the health and sustainability of the sector. He said that they had established state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with modern diagnostic facilities to improve disease management practices. He urged scientists and researchers to come forward with innovative and practical research projects aimed at controlling poultry diseases. World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) President Hanif Nazir said that Pakistan remains recognized as Influenza free country by the World Organization of Animal Health, which is a status for both consumer confidence and international trade potential. He said that by aligning local veterinary practices with international standards, the country is well-positioned to transform poultry industry into a major export hub. Department of Pathology Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Kashif Saleemi said that after ensuring our flocks free from pathogens and others, we prevent the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the human population. He said that poultry health challenges erodes profit margins for farmers. We are focusing our efforts to ensure that the health of the bird is protected from the hatchery to the dinner table. He called for bridging the gap to create a resilient food system that provides safe, affordable protein for every citizen. MD Sadaat Group Ghulam Mehboob, Munir Iqbal and Tariq Ismaeel and other notables also spoke on the occasion.