LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched the second phase of its Rs3 billion Livestock Support Programme to strengthen the economic independence of rural women, particularly widows, divorced women and other deserving women in South Punjab.

Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani inaugurated the transparent electronic balloting process through the Punjab Information Technology Board’s (PITB) digital dashboard. The programme aims to help rural women generate sustainable income, improve their livelihoods and support their families through livestock ownership.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Kirmani said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif remained committed to empowering women across the province, especially those facing financial difficulties in South Punjab.

He said women’s economic empowerment was essential for broader social development and stressed that the provincial government would continue practical measures to help deserving women become financially self-reliant. He added that the government intended to ensure transparency throughout the programme so that assistance reached eligible beneficiaries.

According to officials, the authorities received 75,666 applications from across Punjab for the second phase. After verification by the Urban Unit, officials approved 15,396 applications for the balloting process. The electronic draw selected 3,304 women who will receive free cows or buffaloes under the initiative.

The government plans to begin distributing the animals on October 20. In addition to receiving livestock, each selected woman will receive a one-time financial grant of Rs5,000 to help cover animal-care expenses. The authorities will also provide financial assistance through debit cards issued by the Bank of Punjab.

Officials have established district-wise quotas to maintain transparency and ensure a fair distribution of livestock. The programme will extend assistance down to the tehsil level, allowing eligible women in different areas to benefit from the initiative.

The department will register the distributed animals under the Pakistan Animal Identification and Traceability System (PAITS). Officials will also use high-quality semen to improve breeding standards and promote better livestock production.

Highlighting the programme’s earlier achievements, officials said the first phase had distributed 9,255 high-quality animals among widowed and divorced women in South Punjab. The second phase seeks to extend this support and create further opportunities for women to earn through livestock farming.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Parliamentary Secretary Sardar Asim Sher Maken, Livestock and Dairy Development Punjab Secretary Ahmad Aziz Tarar, South Punjab Livestock Secretary Asad Naeem, Additional Secretary Technical Dr Usman Tahir, director generals and other senior officials.

Deputy commissioners and district livestock officers from the relevant districts also joined the electronic balloting ceremony through a video link.

The initiative forms part of the Punjab government’s broader effort to improve rural livelihoods by enabling women to establish income-generating activities, strengthen household finances and contribute to the local economy.