QUETTA: The Balochistan government has chalked out a plan to provide small loans on easy terms to graduates so that they could set up livestock farms or start a business in other sectors.

Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti said at a meeting of the Livestock and Dairy Development Department on Tuesday that an amount of Rs 2 billion would be allocated for the flagship programme. It will be implemented in collaboration with the Akhuwat Foundation.

Those who attended the meeting included Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Livestock Department Secretary Muhammad Tayyab Lehri and other officials.

It was also decided in the meeting to launch mobile units in 36 districts of the province for the vaccination of livestock. The finance department was asked to release funds for the drive.

Chief Minister Bugti expressed his anger over the occupation of hundreds of acres of land owned by the Livestock Department and ordered the officials concerned to retrieve the lands.

“If anyone occupies government lands in future, the government will take strict action against them and the deputy commissioner concerned,” Mr Bugti said.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024