PAC slams poor performance of livestock sector

Akhtar Langove says department can take province out of economic difficulties

QUETTA: Balochistan Public Accounts Committee Chairman Akhtar Hussain Langove lamented dismal performance of provincial livestock department on Friday while addressing a meeting.

The participants of the meeting included provincial minister for Agriculture Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai, members of provincial assembly, including Balochistan National Party (BNP) leader Malik Naseer Shahwani, Syed Fazal Agha, Sana Baloch and Livestock Secretary Dostain Jamaldini.

“Provincial livestock generates Rs10.35 million annually which is cause for serious concern, although the department is capable of steering Balochistan out of economic difficulties,” said the PAC chairman.

Langove considers corruption a prime factor behind the department’s downfall.

“Government releases millions of rupees for salaries of livestock department but nepotism and corruption have hit its performance,” said Langove.

He added that earlier livestock was considered the backbone of provincial economy.

Stressing the need of uplifting livestock sector, the PAC chairman said, “Developed countries consider livestock and agriculture integral part of sustainable economy. However, in Balochistan the authorities have neglected the sector for 70 years.”

The PAC chairman said that livestock sector in Balochistan was facing heavy debt instead of uplifting the economy. Langove vowed to take action against irregularities and corruption in the provincial livestock sector.

During the meeting, Shahwani slammed the government for neglecting the livestock department. “Government of Balochistan is interested in benefitting the party’s ministers instead of focusing on social development for the masses,” he said.

Shahwani emphasised to privatise the livestock sector to uplift its performance, adding the federal secretary and livestock director general should visit the province.

Jamaldini presented the government’s viewpoint during the meeting. Assuring the participants that the government will take steps for the sector, the secretary said, “Government is expected to generate Rs10.5 billion from the sector in the coming year.”

Livestock Expo

Earlier, in the month of November, Livestock Expo 2019 was held in Quetta. President Dr Arif Alvi inaugurated the expo at the University of Balochistan (UoB) as a chief guest. During his address, the president claimed huge potential of foreign investment in Pakistan’s livestock sector.

Dr Alvi highlighted the importance of the livestock department and said development in livestock sector can help scale up exports, eliminate poverty and stabilise the economy.

Lauding the provincial government’s efforts to boost the livestock sector, he said livestock is a comprehensive field that contributes to nutrition, poverty alleviation, rural development and overall economic growth. “Pakistan can export livestock after meeting its domestic needs.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2019.