LAHORE: The Punjab government has approved the second phase of its free livestock programme to empower rural women economically and help them establish sustainable sources of income.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed the Livestock and Dairy Development Department to complete preparations for the expanded initiative. Under the new phase, thousands of additional rural women will receive cows and buffaloes.
The programme aims to improve the financial independence of deserving women by enabling them to earn through livestock farming and milk production.
In the first phase, the provincial government launched a Rs2 billion initiative to distribute free livestock among 11,000 deserving women across 12 districts of South Punjab. Widowed and divorced women received priority under the scheme.
The government initially set a target of distributing 4,870 animals during the first phase to help beneficiaries generate regular household income.
Through the expanded programme, authorities aim to reduce rural poverty, increase milk production and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women in underserved communities.
The initiative forms part of the provincial government’s broader efforts to strengthen rural economies and improve the financial circumstances of vulnerable households.
The Livestock and Dairy Development Department will oversee preparations for the second phase. However, officials have not yet announced the complete distribution schedule or final number of beneficiaries.
The programme is expected to provide additional opportunities for eligible rural women to support their families through livestock ownership and related economic activities.
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