Gulf investors interested in livestock sector: CM

Maryam Nawaz vows to rid farmers of middlemen

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LAHORE:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that many big businessmen from the Gulf countries want to invest in the livestock sector in the province.

Addressing the launching ceremony of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif Livestock Card in Pakpattan, she said, "We want to build 500,000 houses in the coming five years. We want to increase the amount for building houses from Rs1.5 million to Rs2 million. We are going to launch metro bus projects in Gujranwala and Faisalabad next year. We will give interest-free loans to the youth for employment."

She added, "Farmers will have access to modern agricultural machinery on rent in every tehsil. Farmers of Punjab are very happy to get rid of middlemen. After many decades, fertiliser was not sold at inflated price, it was easily available at the fixed rates."

The chief minister said the target of wheat cultivation in the province had been achieved.

She said production of livestock vaccine at the local level would be increased.

"Not only some animals, but also some humans get foot-and-mouth disease. When they open their mouths, they do not talk except hurling abuses. We are improving in the quality of livestock and their breed," she added.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said animal tagging with QR code would be carried out across Punjab.

She said, "I felt overjoyed to meet the farmer brothers and sisters who have obtained the Livestock Cards..Those who have obtained the cards also include students who are raising animals as a side business. It is a matter of joy that women have also obtained Livestock Cards."

She expressed hope that expansion of the scheme would usher in.prosperity of the people.

She added, "After the tenure of Nawaz Sharif, which was ended in 2017, good news have started coming to Pakistan now."

The chief minister said the economy had begun recovering.

"The public first starts getting advantages of a project and then I come for its launching. The people have received money from the Livestock Card and I have come to meet them."

She said inflation had declined significantly and the price of flour and bread in Punjab was lower than other provinces. "I discuss the price of bread with my team on a daily basis. I will not let the price of bread to increase as 150 million people have to eat bread, I will do whatever I can in this regard. The economy is improving and the people have started getting its fruits. If inflation is lowered then the economy will improve and purchasing power of people will improve as well," she said.

The CM said Rs270,000 would be paid for four months to those having 10 or less animals through the Livestock Card. If the health and weight of the animals are good, the production and quality of meat and milk will improve.

"Through the Livestock Card, meat and milk will be exported besides meeting the needs of Pakistan."