LAHORE: Efforts by Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif have begun to yield results, with the province set to export one million livestock. MoUs have been signed with seven entities, including a Chinese global meat company, to boost meat exports from Punjab.
Under the agreements, the Chinese global meat company, in collaboration with PAMCO, will install a boiler unit in Punjab. The facility will enable large-scale preparation of boiled meat for export. Meat companies will import meat from approximately 300,000 animals for export purposes.
A target has been set for the fattening of 300,000 buffaloes and cattle, along with 300,000 sheep and rams, while 100,000 goats and sheep will be reared specifically for export.
The chief minister also directed the establishment of state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals in every tehsil. Additionally, four mobile veterinary dispensaries will operate in each tehsil to provide treatment to livestock at the village level.
Chairing a special video-link meeting, the CM approved key decisions, including doubling the quota for providing free livestock to rural women. Participants of the meeting were given a detailed briefing, while Provincial Minister for Livestock Ashiq Hussain Kirmani informed the forum about ongoing initiatives in the sector.
It was highlighted that, for the first time, mechanisation will be introduced in Punjab’s livestock farming sector. The provincial government will provide up to 60 percent subsidy on livestock machinery, including milk chillers, mixing machines, milk can coolers, weighing scales, feed mixers and pilot machines.
In South Punjab, 9,255 animals have already been distributed free of cost among widowed and divorced women across 12 districts. To meet export targets, two million animals will be tagged, while two million semen doses will be provided on subsidy to enhance breeding.
The briefing further noted that no cases of haemorrhagic septicaemia or lumpy skin disease have been reported in livestock since 2022. Even after recent floods, no cases of lumpy skin disease have emerged. The imported vaccine for lumpy skin costs Rs300, whereas an effective locally produced vaccine is available for just Rs30.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that neglect of the livestock sector in the past was deeply regrettable, adding that livestock farming serves as a vital source of economic self-reliance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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