MULTAN, Jan 26: The City District Government will provide medicine to cattle farmers free of cost. This was stated by nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar here on Friday during a meeting held to review cattle farming.

He said the incentive was being given to improve the livestock sector.

He said all veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the district would provide free medicine to the farmers while a veterinary hospital would be established in every town or district.

He directed shifting of veterinary hospital from Lohari Gate from the limits of city.

The nazim directed the DO (livestock) to set up vaccination camps in various part of the district to vaccinate cattle against foot and mouth disease and haemorrhagic septicemia.

He said a mobile veterinary ambulance service would start on March 15 with the financial assistance of the district government so that cattle in remote areas could be provided emergency treatment.

Mian Faisal said the staff of veterinary hospital of Lohari Gate would be appointed in rural areas while a suggestion would be forwarded to the Punjab government for filling in of vacant posts of veterinary doctors and other staff.

He said machinery would be purchased to upgrade veterinary hospitals in the district.

He directed to take steps to preserve the race of Sahiwal’s cow and other cattle. He asked livestock breeders and dairy farmers to launch projects through Citizen Community Board for dairy products, milk and feed making plants and the city district government would provide 80 per cent funds.

He took serious notice of the complaints of union council nazims that officers of various departments were creating hurdles in the establishment and registration of Citizen Community Boards and ordered the DCO to immediately transfer the officers.

Naib nazim Syed Wajid Ali, Livestock Breeders and Dairy Farmers Association of Pakistan general secretary Fayyazul Hasan Bhutta and others attended the meeting.