GUJRAT: Under the Chief Minister Livestock Card Programme, interest-free loans amounting to Rs23 million were provided to 373 livestock farmers in Sialkot district during the outgoing fiscal year 2024–2025.

The aim was to help them provide better fodder for their animals and increase their income.

While briefing about the provincial government’s initiatives in Sialkot during the financial year ending June 30, Additional Director Livestock Dr. Waseem Abbas stated that 90 per cent of the interest-free loans have been recovered from farmers and action is being initiated against 25 livestock cardholders who defaulted.

Dr. Waseem Abbas added that the programme would continue in the next fiscal as well with Rs1 billion allocated for it in the budget. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries under the interest-free loan scheme will increase in the upcoming year, he added.

He said in Sialkot tehsil, 124 livestock farmers were given interest-free loans, 122 in Pasrur, 80 in Daska and 47 in Sambrial. These loans were provided for a six-month duration, ranging from Rs135,000 to Rs540,000 per person, he added. The loans were granted to livestock farmers who own five to 20 male animals.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2025