Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that livestock sector is the backbone of country's economy and promotion of this sector can help eliminate poverty and unemployment as well as earn huge foreign exchange through export of dairy products. He also said development of livestock is the priority of the government and all out resources are being utilised for this purpose.
"The Punjab government has taken unprecedented steps for the development and progress of Cholistan. Our future is linked with livestock sector and we have to march forward speedily for improvement of this sector," he added. He was presiding over a meeting regarding development of livestock sector here on Monday, disclosed an official.
MNA Chaudhry Saood Majeed and M Junaid Anwaar Chaudhry, MPA Chaudhry M Arahad and Chaudhry Nadeem Abbas Rabera, Vice Chairman Punjab Investment Board, Chairman Planning and Development, Secretaries of Finance and Commerce, Commissioner Lahore and senior officers concerned were present on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said vast opportunities of development of livestock sector exist in Punjab and the use of modern technology in this sector can help in the economic uplift of livestock farmers as well as strengthening of national economy. "The services of Secretary Livestock, Jehanzeb Khan for improvement of livestock and dairy farming sector are commendable and due to his efforts not only improvement is being made in this sector but for the first time the sample of meat sent to Malaysia has been accepted, which is a big achievement," he added.
According to him, quality of livestock products should be ensured for export of Halal meat. Facilities are being provided to the cattle farmers for enhancing the production of livestock and private sector is also being encouraged for development of this sector. Improvement of livestock farms in public sector is the need of the hour. The process of vaccination of animals should be carried out in a proper manner and private sector should also be encouraged for vaccination of animals as they have to protect the interests of poor livestock farmers at all cost.
He said Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board should be reconstituted and full representation should be given to the private sector. He said except for two government officials, the remaining representatives should be taken from private sector on this board.
According to him, the Punjab government has taken unprecedented steps for the development and progress of Cholistan and five modern livestock farms have been established and government will not interfere in the management of these farms. Objective of setting up of these modern farms in Cholistan is to change the living conditions of the people of this area and promotion of livestock.
The Planning and Development Chairman, Secretary Livestock, Chief Executive Officers of Lahore Meat Company and Punjab Livestock Development Board should visit Cholistan and settle the matters regarding the farms with the consultation of livestock farmers of Cholistan. He will go to Cholistan after Eid-ul-Azha and give ownership certificates of these farms so as to create a feeling among local population that this step has been taken for their uplift and prosperity.
Earlier, the Secretary Livestock, Chief Executive Officer Lahore Meat Company and Chief Executive Officer Punjab Livestock Board gave a detailed briefing regarding the strategy for the development of livestock and the pace of implementation of the projects.