Vaccination ordered to fight cattle infections

Minister demands of the government to release funds for cattle breeding, fisheries

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Caretaker Minister for Irrigation and Livestock Abdul Haleem Qasuria has ordered establishment of mobile vaccination centres in all cattle markets across the province to contain lumpy skin disease (LSD) and other infections.

Chairing a high level meeting about the livestock development and research in Peshawar, the minister showed serious reservation about the non-release of funds for the extension projects in the field of fisheries and cattle breeding.

“If funds are not released, then the livestock and fisheries development projects could not be completed in time that are vital for the support of cattle farmers in the province,” he said, adding that the provincial government should ensure provision of funds for these projects on priority basis.]

“If funds are released in time then the agriculture based economy of the province will be further strengthened with the completion of these projects,” he added.

The caretaker minister was briefed in depth about the annual development projects of the department including several schemes planned for the newly merged tribal districts.

He was briefed about the establishment of Veterinary and Animal Science University Swat, the establishment of civil veterinary dispensaries, establishment of a model dairy farm in Wana, Waziristan and development of fisheries sector in the tribal districts.

On this occasion Qasuria directed the officials of the department to beef up the LSD vaccination process before the Eid to prevent the spread of the disease.

He maintained that livestock is a vital sector of K-P’s economy and every effort will be made to protect and further develop it.

It may be mentioned here that lack of funds has hit hard the K-P province in the recent months.

Caretaker Chief Minister Azam Khan on Wednesday arranged an all parties conference (APC) for the resolution of the financial problems of the province.

Besides others, the meeting was attended by the top leadership of political and religious parties of K-P, including Sirajul Haq, Aftab Sherpao, Aimal Wali, Ameer Muqam, Arbab Alamgir and Shahjee Gul Afridi.

The meeting was told that Rs180 billion were pending to the federation under the head of different federal transfer and promises made during the K-P-Fata merger was yet to be fulfilled.

APC decided to constitute a Jirga comprising leaders of all parties for getting constitutional rights of the province and would meet the prime minister next week for raising the issue of arrears and outstanding dues.

The conference underlined the need for collective efforts for the achievement of the constitutional rights of the province and thanked the CM for convening the APC.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2023.