By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: An important meeting was held in the Livestock Department under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani in which the progress and timelines of the recovery process of Livestock Card Phase One, Livestock Card Phase Two, the second phase of asset distribution among rural women of South Punjab and other initiatives (projects) of the Chief Minister were reviewed.
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The Provincial Minister for Livestock was also briefed about the arrangements of the Livestock Department in view of the flood situation in Punjab. Secretary Livestock Punjab Ahmed Aziz Tarar attended the meeting.
Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani said on this occasion that the livestock farmers have benefited from the fruits of the successful projects of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in the livestock sector and their economic conditions have improved.
He congratulated all the divisional directors and officers of Punjab for completing 95 percent recovery of the livestock card phase one and appreciated their excellent performance and stated that this proves that all the directors try their best to fulfill the task given by the department. He also directed to complete the remaining 5 percent recovery amount as soon as possible. The provincial minister explained that the phase two of the livestock card will consist of 6 months and in it 3 lakh animals will be distributed among livestock farmers while the number of animals for a livestock farmers has been increased to between 5 and 20. The provincial minister was informed in the briefing that more than 150,000 applications have been received so far for the livestock card phase two. While the urban unit has completed the physical verification of 161,000 animals so far, while work is underway on the rest. The provincial minister ordered the PMD to send the remaining data to the urban unit as soon as possible.
He highlighted that every new animal will be tagged. The provincial minister further added that in phase two of the scheme, 5,500 animals will be distributed among rural women in 12 districts of South Punjab and applications for this are being received between June 20 and July 20. The provincial minister for livestock was informed that more than 58,000 applications have been received so far for the distribution of livestock assets.
During the briefing, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani was informed about the funds allocated for the completion of various schemes and projects under the Annual Development Program 2025-26. The Provincial Minister for Livestock was briefed about the new initiatives of the Chief Minister in the budget of the financial year 2025-26, Herd Transformation to increase livestock production, Livestock Department Internship Program, Progressive Control of Foot and Mouth Disease in Punjab, FMD Free Zone in Bahawalnagar District and provision of X-ray and surgical facilities for animal health and welfare at the district level and other projects.
On this occasion, Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani issued instructions to prepare a feasibility report for a free zone in Bahawalnagar District and to form a separate directorate of the department. He endorsed that this disease-free zone will prove to be a hub for the export of good-quality animals, while herd transformation will prove to be a means of improving meat and milk production in the country. The provincial minister issued orders to ensure the timely implementation of all these projects.
Provincial Minister for Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani was briefed during the meeting that the Livestock Department has taken all arrangements and precautions in the event of a flood emergency due to heavy rains in Punjab and an emergency plan has been prepared in the districts adjacent to the rivers and it is being implemented. The department has established flood relief camps, mock exercises are being conducted, while a vigorous media campaign is also being run on electronic media in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary South Punjab (Livestock) Asad Naeem, Additional Secretary (Technical) Livestock Dr. Usman Tahir, Director Generals Extension and Production (Livestock) as well as representatives of PITB and Urban Unit. While directors of all divisions were present in the online meeting.
