CM Punjab launches new internship program to boost agricultural innovation

LAHORE: Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz has launched an internship program designed to empower young graduates in fisheries, aquaculture and zoology to provide them with practical training in shrimp farming.

The six-month internship, set up at the Fisheries Department’s shrimp farm in Muzaffargarh, will provide participants with experience and a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000. The program aims to not only equip graduates with valuable skills but also meet the growing global demand for shrimp and increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.

Maryam Nawaz stressed the economic potential of shrimp farming, saying that using 100,000 acres of land for shrimp farming could generate an income of over $1 billion. She also shared the vision of converting barren land in southern Punjab into productive areas for shrimp farming.

To further promote shrimp farming, the program supports farmers and investors through leased land, incentives, and necessary equipment, with an expected outcome of creating 10,000 to 20,000 jobs. The project focuses on promoting self-employment and financial independence for youth, who can apply through an online job portal.