LAHORE: A meeting reviewed the progress and timelines of the Livestock Card Phase II, the second phase of asset distribution among rural women of south Punjab and other initiatives of the Punjab chief minister.
The meeting, chaired by provincial Livestock Minister Ashiq Kirmani on Tuesday, was informed that 156,000 applications had been received for the Livestock Card Phase-II, while the Urban Unit had so far approved 5,906 applications of livestock farmers having 54,000 animals.
The minister directed to begin the distribution of livestock cards from Sept 1, allowing farmers to activate their cards immediately. In phase-II, 5,500 animals would be distributed among rural women from 12 tehsils of south Punjab and applications would be received until Aug 14.
He was informed that the department had registered 130 cases against those selling fake semen and another 57 against those involved in illegal animal slaughter. A crackdown was also carried out against substandard milk sellers, the meeting was told.
The meeting was informed about the fund allocation for the completion of various schemes and projects under the Annual Development Programme 2025-26, including herd transformation to increase livestock production, internship programme, control of foot and mouth disease in Punjab, the FMD-Free Zone in Bahawalnagar district and provision of x-ray and surgical facilities for animal health and welfare at the district-level and other projects.
Mr Kirmani instructed to prepare a feasibility report for a free zone in Bahawalnagar district and to form a separate directorate of the department for the purpose.
The minister congratulated all the divisional directors and additional directors for completing 96 percent recovery of Livestock Card Phase-I. He also directed to complete the remaining 4 percent recovery as soon as possible.
Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2025
