Grand
National Aviculture Summit 2025: A call for unity and innovation
Asher Butt
The Grand
National Aviculture Summit 2025 brought together bird enthusiasts,
breeders, and industry stakeholders at the Alhamra Arts Council Lahore, marking
the first large-scale gathering of its kind for Pakistan’s lovebird community.
Organized by Naveed Sheikh of NS Aviary and his team, the summit aimed to
revive confidence, address challenges, and chart a new path forward for
aviculture in the country.
A landmark
gathering for aviculture
For the
first time, a fanciers’ group hosted an event of such magnitude, drawing more
than 500 participants—men and women alike—from Karachi, Mirpur Khas,
Gujranwala, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Kasur, and beyond. The event
combined technical sessions, passionate speeches, and open discussions on the
state of the lovebird industry.
Market woes
and the push for recovery
Speakers
openly acknowledged the recent downturn in the aviculture market, caused
largely by an oversupply of low-value commercial birds. They urged breeders to
move past short-term thinking and adopt strategies to restore market health.
- Shamsa Hashmi, serving as stage
in-charge, highlighted how senior breeders entering the commercial market
destabilized prices, advising new breeders to adopt “smart pairing” and
continuous upgrading of bird pairs.
- Hanzala Sharif praised Sheikh for
taking initiative in tough times, pointing out that international
buyers—from Indonesia and China—still recognize Pakistan among the top
five countries for quality bird breeding.
Expert insights
and practical advice
Breeding and
business strategy
- Umair Chauhan, a veteran breeder of
Dun Fallows, emphasized budgeting, purpose-built aviaries, and genetic
planning as the foundation for sustainable breeding.
- Ashar Saddique explained the
science behind developing new mutations, detailing both natural and
transmutation methods of achieving results.
- Fazzy Mahmood advised patience,
reminding participants that markets go through cycles of crisis and
recovery.
Building identity
and integrity
- Mohsin Zafar urged fanciers to create
their own unique identities in the market rather than copying others.
- He recounted how breeder Haris Rais,
present early at the summit but later absent from stage discussions, once
flipped four birds for millions in profit—an anecdote used to stress
caution and learning from one’s own mistakes.
The role of
exports and international potential
Adnan Saleem
of Karachi addressed the export angle, explaining how international buyers have
specific demands and focus on price and quality. While he avoided disclosing
sensitive details about custom clearances, he stressed the need for quality-focused
breeding to tap into global markets.
Government
and community support
Special
guest Raees Khan Lodhi of the CCD department lent credibility by framing
aviculture as a respectable home-based business—“a business that can be done
within chaddar and char deevari.” His remarks reinforced the industry’s
potential for youth, women, and families.
Gifts, engagement,
and recognition
The summit
balanced serious discussion with interactive activities. Audience members
received prizes, gifts, and lucky draws, ensuring that every attendee left with
something in hand. This lighthearted conclusion contrasted with the otherwise
intense debates, leaving a sense of inclusivity and shared purpose.
Naveed
Sheikh’s call to action
Concluding
the summit, Naveed Sheikh delivered a powerful address. He:
- Challenged breeders to stop
overproducing low-value mutations and instead explore new, high-end
mutations like “Sapphire.”
- Called for unity within the
community to fight negativity, especially on social media, and announced legal
efforts to safeguard the industry’s integrity.
- Revealed plans for an even larger December
event, aiming to attract a staggering 50,000 people in the future.
Sheikh’s
closing words resonated deeply: “Your presence here is a verdict against
those spreading negativity. It is time to identify our mistakes, make amends,
and move forward with a positive mindset.”
Team effort
The team
that led the summit to a rousing success under Naveed Sheikh comprised Talha
Rahim, Chaudhary Irfan, Adnan Jameel, Arfan Akram, Rana Shani, Husnain Malik.
Jasim Ilyas, Malik Moien. Don Pasha, Khurram Jahangeer, Sami Ullah, Dr Faisal,
Samee Khan, Imran Malik, Hamid Ishaq while they has useful partners in Hanzalah
Shareef, Ashar Shaddique and its support team included Rana Arsalan, Asif
Jawed, Anees Rehman, Ameer Mavia, Ahmed.
Whereas, it found a valuable patronage
from Adnan Saleem (Islamabad), The Aviarist, Adnan Khurram Zia, Pine Nestings's
Adil Jadoon, Pakistan Taxidermy Najaf, BGC Labs' Dr Faisal Sameer Khan, Malik
Moien, Aun Raza Butt, Mega Birds Farm Arshad Bukhari, Waqas Ahmed (50 buds),
Husnain Malik, Mirza Shani (Gakhar), Imran Malik, Waseem Ranjha (mobiles)
Khurram Ijaz, and Mrs Maj Aamir (keratin shampoo).
Central message:
Smart pairing, smart future
The Grand
National Aviculture Summit 2025 underscored a clear message—Pakistan’s
aviculture community cannot afford complacency. By embracing smart breeding,
innovation, and collective unity, the lovebird industry can not only recover
but thrive, with the potential to become a true export powerhouse.
