Punjab’s livestock sector is undergoing a historic transformation, driven by the visionary agenda of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her team-particularly Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development. With livestock contributing nearly 15% to Pakistan’s GDP and over 63% to the agricultural economy, the sector is not only vital to food security but also central to rural livelihoods and national exports. As the country’s agricultural powerhouse, Punjab is leading this transformation through a comprehensive suite of reforms focused on modernization, inclusion, and resilience.
As highlighted during the province’s first-ever Livestock Stakeholder Workshop organized by the Livestock & Dairy Development Department, under title “Role of Government in Uplifting the Livestock Sector” has been nothing short of transformative. Through strategic planning, inclusive programming, and institutional innovation, the Punjab government has positioned itself as a proactive architect of rural development. Under the dynamic leadership of Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, the department has emerged as a key driver of change-implementing policies that blend financial empowerment, disease control, gender equity, and infrastructure modernization into a cohesive development model.
One of the most impactful initiatives is the Livestock Card program, which provides interest-free loans of up to Rs. 540,000 per farmer for the purchase of livestock feed. With a total credit facility of Rs. 11 billion over two years, the program has already registered 100,000 animals and aims to support 400,000 in total. The card also allows partial cash withdrawals and includes digital tagging and traceability features, ensuring transparency and enabling data-driven decision-making. This initiative exemplifies how government can democratize access to finance and integrate smallholder farmers into formal economic systems.
In South Punjab, the government has launched the Livestock Asset Transfer scheme to empower vulnerable women-particularly widows and divorced women with low PMT scores. Through a transparent digital application and e-balloting process, nearly 5,000 heifers have been distributed in the first phase, with a target of 10,000 beneficiaries. This program promotes gender equity, strengthens household nutrition, and fosters economic independence, showcasing the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a longstanding challenge, is being addressed through the establishment of 15 Disease-Free Compartments over three years and a dedicated FMD-Free Zone in Bahawalnagar. These zones are supported by free vaccination drives, quarantine units, and extended disease surveillance. By aligning veterinary health with trade policy, the government is enhancing export readiness and protecting public health.
To address the shortage of skilled professionals in animal health, the government launched a province-wide Internship Program on November 1, 2025. It engages 1,000 interns-500 veterinarians and 500 para-veterinary staff-selected on merit through an online application system. Interns receive monthly stipends of Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 40,000 respectively. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to human capital development and ensures that reforms are supported by technical expertise.
The Herd Transformation initiative, targeting 10 districts, has facilitated over 1.7 million inseminations using Holstein Friesian, Brahman, and indigenous breeds such as Nili Ravi, Sahiwal, Cholistani, and others. An IVF laboratory is being established to support advanced reproductive technologies and breed conservation. This reflects strategic foresight in balancing modernization with the preservation of genetic diversity.
Infrastructure development has been a key area of investment. The government plans to equip divisional hospitals with X-ray machines and district hospitals with state-of-the-art operation theatres next year. Mobile radiological vehicles and ultrasound machines have already been deployed across tehsils to enhance outreach. Special attention has been given to equines and companion animals, with shoeing kits and indoor facilities for dogs. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is also being strengthened with improved equipment and mobility.
To ensure veterinary services reach remote and underserved areas, the government has introduced a comprehensive doorstep delivery system. This includes 138 ultrasound machines for tehsil-level hospitals, 20 mobile veterinary dispensaries, 17 mobile laboratories, and 7,000 customized motorbikes for field staff. These mobile units provide routine checkups, vaccinations, and emergency care, making services more accessible and responsive. Of the 138 ultrasound machines, 89 have been procured and supply orders for the remaining 44 have been issued. Out of 20 mobile dispensaries, 15 have been purchased. Of the 7,000 motorbikes, 3,412 have been distributed, with supply orders for the remaining units already in place.
The government is also focusing on improving non-descript cattle, which form a significant portion of the rural livestock population. Using 1.2 million doses of Holstein Friesian and Brahman semen, the program aims to enhance milk yield, disease resistance, and overall productivity-particularly benefiting smallholder farmers.
Supporting these reforms is a robust institutional ecosystem that includes the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Bahawalpur, Punjab Halal Development Agency, and the Punjab Livestock and Dairy Development Board. These institutions offer research, training, certification, and extension services, reinforcing the government’s role as a knowledge broker and capacity builder.
Public engagement is a priority. The government is leveraging multimedia campaigns, farmer workshops, and digital platforms to promote best practices in animal husbandry, disease prevention, and feed management. A stakeholder consultative workshop titled “Role of Government in Uplifting the Livestock Sector” is also part of this outreach strategy. These efforts help translate policy into practice and build trust between the government and rural communities.
While Punjab’s progress is commendable, challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and market volatility persist. Addressing these will require adaptive governance, resilient infrastructure, and sustained investment. Yet the opportunities are immense. With its livestock base, skilled workforce, and reform momentum, Punjab is poised to become a regional hub for meat and dairy exports-and a model for inclusive rural development.
Punjab’s livestock revolution-led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and her team, especially Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Secretary Livestock Ahmad Aziz Tarar, and others-is not just a story of sectoral reform. It is a case study in public leadership. Through strategic planning, inclusive programming, and institutional innovation, the government is demonstrating how policy can uplift communities, modernize systems, and drive economic transformation. This journey affirms a simple truth: when government leads with vision, integrity, and empathy, livestock becomes more than an economic asset-it becomes a pathway to prosperity, equity, and national resilience.