By Rafiullah Mandokhail
ZHOB: Provincial Minister for Livestock, Dairy Development and Environment Mitha Khan Kakar has said that cattle farming is a centuries old occupation of people in the region having vast grazing pastures. Paying more attention and proper use of funds can make the Livestock sector a profitable business. Keeping in mind the importance of livestock in the province, annual budget of the department has been increased to ensure livestock’s better health and productivity.
He was speaking at a cheque distribution ceremony among the farmers under the better sheep breeding scheme. Assistant Commissioner Arif Kakar, PS to minister Faiz Kakar and cattle farmers were also present in a large number.
Addressing the cattle farmers, the provincial minister said everyone has a role to play for the development and emphasized the need for focusing on the sector as it has the potential to generate economic activities and reduce poverty. He said the students from other areas will benefit from the veterinary college that is being built in Zhob at a cost of Rs. 500 million. After the construction of a state-of-the-art slaughter house at a cost of Rs 600 million, fresh meat will be packed and exported to other parts of the country. Moreover, he said the issue of veterinary medicines shortage in the district will also be addressed.
“Under C-PEC project, a modern farm will be constructed in Zhob. The credit of approval for expansion Zhob-Kuchlak highway goes to former Commander Sothern Command General Asim Saleem Bajwa,” the minister said.
He said over Rs. 7 billion have been allocated in the provincial budget for the district. The development works worth tens of millions of rupees were in progress in the district and up to 30 km of roads were being constructed in the urban areas.
He said the Silyaza and Sawara bridges will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 110 million and Rs. 4.5 billion rupees will be spent on Kakar-Khurasaan-Qamardin Karez road. The minister also appreciated the broad vision of chief minister Balochistan.
Additional Secretary Inayat Kakar, DG Ghulam Hussain Jaffar, Director Research Kamran Akhter and Additional Director Dr. Saeed Kakar also spoke on the occasion and said the provincial government was striving for the development of livestock sector and puts the sector on modern line, utilizing all the available resources as majority of the rural population was dependent on the sector.
Divisional Director Dr. Baha-ul-Haq Mandokhail, Deputy Director Dr. Naseebullah Kakar and Dr. Ramazan Shah said that under the newly-launched sheep breeding scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 75,000 is being given to two hundred cattle keepers in the district.
Meanwhile, the provincial minister cut the ribbon and inaugurated a newly-established vet laboratory at the Veterinary hospital. Dr. Mujeeb Nasar briefed the provincial minister.
