LAHORE: Punjab government has launched Livestock Card, a Rs 2 billion package for rural women.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has opened doors to dignified employment for rural women in Punjab.

A record package of 2 billion rupees has been prepared to enable 11,000 rural women in 12 districts to gain economic independence.

Under the said initiative, rural women will be provided cows and buffaloes for free so that they can rear them and earn a decent income for their families.

She launched a project for rural women in Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran, Vehari, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahim Yar Khan. Free cows and buffaloes will also be provided to women in Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpura and Kot Addu villages.

The CM said, “The impoverished women of the villages will be able to earn dignified employment by rearing cows and buffaloes.” She added, “80,000 cattle farmers of Punjab will be able to get interest-free loans worth Rs 27,000 per animal in easy installments.”

She said they will be able to buy mineral mixes and silage from registered dealers using Livestock Cards. She emphasized: “Four million animals will be prepared for meat export under the project.”