PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is planning to constitute a committee soon to provide a legislative framework for creating self-employment opportunities for the educated youth.

The committee would also protect the basic rights of the consumers to get clean and hygienic food, said Arif Yousaf, special assistant to chief minister, while speaking at a meting of management committee of Livestock Business Facilitation Desk of Dairy Science Park here on Sunday.

According to a press release, the meeting was attended by Prof M Subhan Qureshi, dean faculty of animal husbandry and vet science, University of Agriculture, Peshawar; Prof Sarzamin Khan; Prof Umer Sadique; Dr Mohammad Shafique; Kamran Khan, chief executive officer of LBF desk; Zafar Paracha; Engr Irfanul Haque Qureshi, LBF desk manager; Intizar Khalil, a representative of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf; Tahir Sajjad, a daily farmer, Dr Saeed Ahmad of Sarhad Poultry Association; M Shahsawar, a dairy farmer; Hafeezur Rahman of Sarhad Dairy Farmers Association; Dr Farzand Ali Jan, business consultant; Gul Kiaz, Bank of Khyber; and Shahzad Jamshed Munir.

Prof Qureshi briefly described the background of the Dairy Science Park. He said that an investment conference was held during 2005 along with Doodh Mela and two international workshops were held during 2011 and 2013 to attract scientists, students, faculty members, farmers, investors and development practitioners from Afghanistan and Turkey.

He said that the prices of milk and meat were under the control of the government. “It has put a tremendous pressure on the livestock and dairy farmers to sell quality meat and most of the dairy farmers have to wind up their business and opt for alternate business,” he added.

Prof Qureshi said that individuals and groups involved in meat production had to make preparation and investment for export of meat, however, the administrative authority of the district officers or the courts of law frequently imposed ban on the export. It posed a threat to the profitability, smooth running and viability of the meat production and marketing setup, he added.

Mr Arif said that government was focussing on public-private partnership.

He appreciated the concept of the Livestock Business Facilitation Desk of Dairy Science Park, which was in line with the theme of the government. Involvement of the educated youth of the province in livestock related activities would definitely lead to creation of self-employment, production of clean food in the province as well as its export to Muslim consumers around the world.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2014