PM eyes tech-driven livestock boost

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the agriculture and livestock sectors have the potential to significantly strengthen the national economy within a year through modern technology, scientific research, and coordinated federal and provincial efforts, as he unveiled an ambitious reform agenda for the country's livestock sector.

Addressing the national seminar titled "Harnessing Pakistan's Livestock Potential" after inaugurating the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System (PAITS), the prime minister said Pakistan possessed abundant natural resources, fertile land, water and hardworking farmers but had failed to fully exploit its agricultural and livestock potential due to outdated practices and inadequate value addition.

He noted that Pakistan is the world's fourth-largest milk producer but continues to underperform in dairy and meat exports due to weak disease control, poor traceability and limited processing infrastructure.

He stressed that improving livestock productivity, adopting modern farming practices and enhancing value addition were essential to expanding exports and strengthening the economy.

Tom Fletcher

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters underscored the need for "greater preparedness, resilience, and closer coordination among all stakeholders at the national, regional, and international levels", during a meeting with United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher in Islamabad.

FBR

PM Shehbaz Sharif directed senior officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to visit Karachi during the first week of every month to engage directly with the business community and address their concerns, as he chaired a meeting to review tax reforms and the revenue authority's performance.

Chairing the meeting, PM Shehbaz said the government's objective was to improve the ease of doing business, promote investment and exports, and make the tax system more transparent and simpler to strengthen the confidence of the business community, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

Describing the business community as "the backbone of the national economy", he said businesses should be provided with every possible facilitation to help increase production and boost exports.