LAHORE: Commemorating World Milk Day, Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA) hosted a high-level national seminar under the theme ‘Safe Milk, Safe Nation: Affordable Dairy for a Healthier Nation’ in the provincial capital on Friday.
The event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, and dairy experts in an interactive session.
At the event, dairy sector stakeholders have advocated for a national shift toward safer and regulated milk with a view to exploring the strategic role of the formal dairy sector in enhancing public health, food security and sustainable economic development.
The seminar featured in-depth discussions on regulatory reforms, standardisation, certification, and enforcement mechanisms necessary to ensure the safety of milk. Key officials, Jahan Ara Wattoo, Vice Chairperson, Punjab Social Protection Authority, Dr Talat Naseer Pasha – DG PAFDA, Amina Rafique, ADG Technical, Punjab Food Authority, and Saqib Ali Ateel, 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 a consistent supply of safe milk was also a central theme.
Pakistan Dairy Association Chief Executive Officer Dr Shehzad Amin opened the seminar by highlighting the central role of dairy in public health and national development. He said, “World Milk Day is not just a celebration, it is a global moment to acknowledge nature’s most complete superfood and its profound impact on nutrition, food security, livelihoods, and economic growth. At PDA, our mission is firmly rooted in ensuring that safe, nutritious, and affordable dairy is accessible to every citizen. We believe – and advocate – that safe milk is not a choice, but a fundamental right of every Pakistani.”
Adding to this perspective, Director Corporate Affairs Noor Aftab highlighted the importance of innovation in dairy processing and packaging. “Milk is more than daily nutrition – it’s a cornerstone of public health, food resilience, and economic progress. Through advanced technologies and collaborative efforts, we are committed to making safe, affordable dairy accessible to every household in Pakistan,” he noted.
Punjab Minister for Minorities & Human Rights Ramesh Singh Arora emphasised that access to safe milk should be considered a right, not a privilege. “Every citizen deserves access to clean, safe, and nutritious milk. Unfortunately, loose milk often contains harmful adulterants like urea, posing serious health risks. Packaged milk, on the other hand, maintains strict quality standards and offers a reliable alternative. The Punjab govt is acutely aware of the province’s malnutrition challenges and is committed to ensuring safe milk reaches every household. We also recognise the negative impact of the current taxation on packaged milk and are working to address this as part of our broader health and nutrition agenda.” Minister of State & Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Romina Khurshid Alam emphasised the essential role of milk in ensuring nutritional well-being. “When we talk about health and nutrition, milk stands out as the one element that completes the nutrition cycle.