Pakpattan/Lahore – In a historic move for Pakistan’s agriculture sector, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz officially launched the Chief Minister Livestock Card, marking a significant step toward empowering farmers and modernizing livestock management.
At a ceremonial event in Pakpattan on Thursday, Maryam distributed the first batch of livestock cards to farmers. Her arrival was celebrated with traditional horse dances accompanied by drums and flutes. Engaging with farmers, she listened to their feedback on how the card would benefit their livelihoods.
Livestock Card Programme Features:
- Provides interest-free loans for four months, with each farmer receiving Rs27,000 per animal.
- A budget of Rs4.4 billion has been allocated, aiming to distribute Rs11 billion to 15,000 farmers over two years.
- The Feedlot Programme will include 400,000 livestock within the same timeframe.
Provincial Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development, Ashiq Hussain, praised the initiative as a groundbreaking advancement in agriculture and livestock growth.
Maryam also inaugurated road infrastructure projects worth Rs8 billion, improving connectivity to Motorway M-3, Bahawalnagar, and Qabula, which she emphasized would boost regional economic activity and transportation.
Commitment to Economic Recovery and Public Welfare
Maryam reiterated her government’s dedication to the vision of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif by investing public funds into welfare projects. She highlighted Punjab’s strides in wheat production, livestock vaccination, and efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s economy. She also reaffirmed plans to curb inflation and lower food prices to alleviate public hardships.
Looking forward, Maryam announced the expansion of the livestock card initiative, with 90,000 additional cards to be distributed next year. She also noted increasing investment from Gulf countries in the livestock sector, signaling growth opportunities in meat and milk exports.
A Jibe at Political Opponents
Without directly naming opponents, Maryam took a swipe at political adversaries, equating their behavior to “foot-and-mouth disease” while promising to treat both animal and political maladies. She dismissed criticisms of infrastructure investments, asserting that economic development relies heavily on robust road networks.
Concluding her address, she expressed gratitude for her leadership journey’s mentorship and pledged continued service to the people of Pakistan.
