LAHORE: The Punjab government has introduced a new initiative aimed at empowering rural women economically through a free livestock scheme. Under the directive of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the program will initially be implemented across 13 districts, offering eligible women the opportunity to receive livestock at no cost.
The first phase will focus on women residing in Multan, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, Layyah, Vehari, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar, and Taunsa.
Eligibility criteria specify that only widowed or divorced women aged 55 or below living in rural areas can apply. Verification of marital status will be conducted by the Punjab Social Protection Authority.
Officials have also clarified that women who have benefited from any government livestock scheme in the past five years are ineligible for this program.
To assist applicants, the government has set up support desks at veterinary hospitals, animal health centers, and Chief Minister Facilitation Centers to streamline the application process.
Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, emphasized that integrating rural women into the economic mainstream is essential to addressing poverty and fostering development in the region.
