Punjab has intensified efforts to curb Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) by enforcing biosecurity measures, improving hygiene, and promoting responsible antibiotic use across its poultry farms. Accounting for nearly 70% of Pakistan’s 15,000+ poultry farms, the province plays a pivotal role in maintaining the country’s meat and egg supply chain.
Dr. Farhan Afzal, Director of the Poultry Research Institute (PRI), highlighted that the Punjab Livestock Department is actively running awareness campaigns and collaborating with the UK’s Fleming Fund to address AMR across human and animal health sectors.
Key Industry Updates & Expert Insights
- Superbug Rumors Dismissed: Dr. Farhan dispelled claims of a “superbug” outbreak in Pakistan’s poultry sector, emphasizing that no major zoonotic diseases are currently present. Common bacterial threats like E. coli and Salmonella remain controllable through standard farm sanitation and proper cooking practices.
- ISO-Standard Diagnostics: PRI Rawalpindi’s Bacteriology Laboratory recently earned official accreditation from the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), boosting national capacity for avian disease diagnostics and systematic AMR surveillance.
- Call for Over-the-Counter Ban: Former Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Punjab Chairman Dr. Abdul Karim Bhatti urged the government to implement a complete ban on over-the-counter antibiotic sales, advocating for a unified national biosecurity policy covering human, livestock, and poultry health.
