The Bank of Punjab’s Head Office in Lahore hosted the MoU signing ceremony for the Chief Minister of Punjab’s Livestock Card, officially launching the registration process. The Livestock Card has been introduced as part of an 11-billion-rupee interest-free loan scheme aimed at supporting farmers.
Present at the ceremony were Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani and Parliamentary Secretary for Livestock Punjab Sardar Asim Makin. Secretary Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel and The Bank of Punjab’s President Zafar Masud signed the MoU.
Provincial Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani explained that the PKR 11 billion scheme will benefit 80,000 livestock farmers, supporting 400,000 animals in a fattening program that will help meet local meat demand and promote exports.
He detailed that farmers will receive interest-free loans over four months in equal installments, with each animal eligible for PKR 27,000. Loans can range from PKR 135,000 to PKR 270,000 per farmer. From December 15, the Livestock Card will enable farmers to purchase silage, feed, and mineral mixtures from approved dealers.
Under the administration of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab, the most populated province, is making significant progress. The Minister highlighted that previous administrations had overlooked the livestock sector, but the current Chief Minister has prioritized its development, allocating PKR 20 billion for the first time to support this initiative.
