Development: Livestock sector can boost growth, says CM

Shahbaz Sharif directs officials to continue livestock vaccination

LAHORE:

Development of livestock and dairy sector can improve the socio-economic conditions in rural areas and create job opportunities, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

He was addressing a meeting at Civil Secretariat through video link. The meeting considered several measures and proposals for the promotion of livestock and dairy sector. “Immediate measures are needed for the promotion of livestock and dairy sector,” he said.

The chief minister said that a majority of rural population of the Punjab was linked to livestock and dairy sector. “There is a need to impart modern training to people so that meat and milk production can be increased. A skill development programme should be developed in this regard. It should effectively be implemented and no effort should be spared for achieving its goals. The livestock sector has key importance in strengthening the economy. There is a need to set the targets and move forward for its development,” he said.

He said that solid measures had been taken for the promotion of livestock in the province. “However, more result-oriented steps should be taken to benefit from the vast potential in this sector,” he said.

He said that the official agencies must plan a pro-active role for increasing Pakistan’s share of global livestock and dairy development market. “The pace of socio-economic development will be accelerated if exports are increased,” he said.

The chief minister said that the Livestock Department should continue the free vaccination programme for protecting cattle from diseases. “The Punjab government is bearing the expenses of this programme,” he said.

Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Dr Farrukh Javed, Malik Nadeem Kamran, Hameeda Waheedud Din, Special Assistant Arshad Jutt and Senator Saud Majeed were present at the meeting.

Delegation

The CM met a delegation comprising MNAs Sardar Mansab Ali Dogar, Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha, MPAs Sheikh Allauddin, Naeem Bhaba and Majid Nawaz and Manshaullah Butt.

Addressing them, the chief minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the country had started its journey towards peace, progress and prosperity. “Our future will become brighter when the government’s programme for the progress of the country is fully implemented. Projects costing billions of rupees have been started for the welfare of the common man. Elements criticising public welfare projects unjustifiably are enemies of the masses,” he said.

Sharif said that a number of power projects were being built to end energy crises.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2016.