CM Punjab launches livestock card scheme, announces reforms

PAKPATTAN: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, while addressing the launch ceremony of the Chief Minister Livestock Card in Pakpattan, announced a comprehensive package of reforms and initiatives aimed at the betterment of farmers, improving public welfare and furthering infrastructure development in the province.

Under the Rs20 billion Livestock Card initiative, beneficiaries will get Rs270,000 for four months to purchase quality fodder and improve the health of livestock. The Punjab Chief Minister emphasized the impact of the program on increasing the weight of animals, which improves productivity.

Maryam remarked that the scope of the Livestock Card scheme will continue to expand, adding that efforts are being made to increase the income of the people.

‘90,000 additional beneficiaries are set to get the cards next year. “We are also improving the quality of animals,” the CM remarked. Rs9 billion has been allocated for vaccines, efforts are underway to increase local vaccine production. Farmers will soon have access to agricultural machinery in every tehsil, with a return policy after use. Moreover, 35 motorcycles have been given to veterinary assistants’.

Furthermore, the Rs400 billion package for farmers includes subsidies for fertilizers and seeds, ensuring affordability and eliminating black market practices.

The Chief Minister highlighted the initiatives under the ‘Apna Ghar, Apna Chhat’ programme, which has received over 700,000 applications. One lakh houses will be built this year, with plans to build houses for 500,000 people in five years.

Maryam Nawaz also announced interest-free loans of up to Rs30 million for youth to support entrepreneurship and economic growth without the burden of paying interest.

Key projects to be initiated include:

• Metro Systems: Metro bus services for Faisalabad and Gujranwala, set to begin construction next year.
• Healthcare: The four-storey Nawaz Sharif Cardiology Hospital in Sargodha will be inaugurated in June, providing advanced cardiac care.
• Sanitation: A province-wide sanitation system upgrade, which is already operational, is set for further improvements.

Maryam remarked that a call centre had been set up to identify problems in the development schemes. “Every day, I check the data before going to bed,” she told people.

Maryam Nawaz questioned the previous government’s use of public funds, highlighting a lack of progress in building hospitals, schools, or colleges during their tenure. “This money existed before; where did it go?” she asked, contrasting it with the PML-N‘s active development agenda.

Maryam affirmed her commitment to ensuring the fruits of Punjab’s economic recovery, reduced inflation, low flour prices, and improved stock market performance reach the people. “Our government is here to deliver,” she said.