Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that livestock sector is the backbone of our economy and its development could not only be helpful in removing poverty but could also be a source of huge foreign exchange.
He stated this while addressing a meeting of Board of Directors of Punjab Agri Marketing Company, here on Friday. Minister for Agriculture Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretary Finance, Secretary Livestock and Dairy Development, Special Secretary Agriculture Marketing, Chief Executive Officer Punjab Agri Marketing Company Mansoor Aafrin, Mohsin Ranjha, Mian Shaukat Ali and Haroon Khawaja also attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister directed the authorities concerned to fully concentrate on development of livestock sector. Shahbaz said that measures were being taken for the socio-economic uplift of farming community as well as ensuring due returns to the growers for their produces.
He said that five airport cold storages were being constructed in various cities of the province including Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad and Rahim Yar Khan and Rs 750 million has been allocated for these projects where vegetables and fruits would be stored for export purpose. Shahbaz also directed early completion as well as third party audit of the project. He said cold storage at Lahore Airport would be completed by July 2009.
The Chief Minister also constituted a special committee to be headed by Provincial Agriculture Minister for reviewing provision of funds, machinery and other facilities for the projects. Shahbaz said he would himself talk to Prime Minister and Civil Aviation Authority for establishing cold storage at Multan Airport. Chief Executive Officer of Punjab Agri Marketing Company Mansoor Aafrin highlighted various projects of the company.
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