latest new update:Free Cows & Buffaloes for South Punjab’s Rural Women

Oct 14, 2025

Free Cows & Buffaloes for South Punjab’s Rural Women

In a move that’s already turning heads across Pakistan, the Punjab government—led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif—has officially rolled out the Livestock Distribution Program 2025, aimed at changing the lives of widowed and divorced women in South Punjab. And no, this isn’t just another one-off aid scheme. This is long-term. Real empowerment. Real animals. Real income.

With a massive Rs. 2 billion budget, the program is already creating waves for how it combines social support with economic empowerment.

Quick Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Total Budget	Rs. 2 billion
Animals in Phase 1	4,870 cows and buffaloes
Target Women	11,000 widowed or divorced women
Eligibility	Women under 55, from low-income households in 12 South Punjab districts
How to Apply	Via mobile app or helpdesk at your local veterinary hospital
Goal	Women’s empowerment through financial self-reliance

Which Areas Are Covered?

The program is focusing on 12 districts in South Punjab—places where poverty rates are high and job opportunities are pretty limited, especially for women.

Here’s the list of districts:

Multan
Bahawalpur
Dera Ghazi Khan
Layyah
Rahim Yar Khan
Muzaffargarh
Rajanpur
Bahawalnagar
Lodhran
Vehari
Khanewal
Kot Addu

These areas were specifically chosen because they’ve been overlooked for too long. This time, the spotlight is on them.

Who Can Apply? (It’s Fair and Transparent)

Only those who truly deserve it can apply. The rules are pretty clear:

Must be a widow or divorced woman
Must be under 55 years old
Must live in one of the 12 selected districts
Must belong to a low-income family
Must have a valid Punjab CNIC

No political backing, no sifarish. Just your documents and your circumstances.

How to Apply – It’s Easier Than You Think

If you’re eligible, here’s how you can get started:

Go to your nearest veterinary clinic or animal health center.
Bring your documents — CNIC, death/divorce certificate, and a registered mobile SIM.
Apply either online at livestock.punjab.gov.pk or through the “Asset Transfer to Rural Women” app.
Wait for a confirmation SMS from the registration team.
Once approved, you’ll collect your animal from the designated center after verification.

Door-to-Door Teams Now Active

To make it even more convenient, door-to-door registration teams have been deployed in all 12 districts. They’ll:

Visit homes directly
Collect and verify data on-site
Register flood-affected families without them needing to travel

For women who can’t leave home easily, this is a game-changer.

What Else Do You Get Besides a Cow or Buffalo?

It’s not like they’re just giving you an animal and saying “good luck.” Each woman selected for the program gets a full support package to help her make the most of it:

Free fodder for the first few months
Regular veterinary check-ups and vaccinations
Training on milk selling and how to manage calves
Guidance on starting a small dairy business

Why Not Just Give Cash?

Great question. The government’s answer is simple: Cash runs out. Livestock pays back again and again.

You sell the milk, you raise calves, you reinvest in your household. It’s not just help for a few days—it’s an income stream. That’s why this model has the potential to become a blueprint for other provinces too.

Impact Beyond Just One Household

This initiative isn’t just helping individual women—it’s lifting entire communities:

Steady income for families
Less reliance on loans or relatives
More funds for kids’ education and health
Boost for the local dairy economy
Encouragement for women to join a sector traditionally dominated by men

Special Priority for Flood Victims

Let’s not forget—many of these districts have been hit hard by floods. Families lost not just homes, but also livestock, their only source of income. That’s why flood-affected women are getting priority in the registration process

Tips for Making the Most of This Opportunity

Once you receive your livestock, here are a few handy tips to help you succeed:

Feed your animal regularly — use the government-provided fodder
Stick to the vaccination and health check schedule
Join local milk collection networks to get better prices
Save some profit for emergencies or to grow your business
Keep a notebook for tracking milk sales and expense

Maryam Nawaz’s Vision for Women in Punjab

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has made it clear that this isn’t just policy—it’s personal. She believes every woman, whether from a city or a small village, should have the right to work, earn, and live with dignity.

This livestock program is a reflection of that vision. And if it works—and it’s looking like it just might—it could inspire similar efforts across the country.

What’s Next?

Right now, the program is in its first phase, covering 12 districts. But the plan is to expand to more areas in the coming months. The government is relying on regular monitoring and feedback from the community to keep things transparent and fair.

Final Thoughts

The Livestock Distribution Program 2025 is more than just a welfare scheme—it’s a bold move toward breaking cycles of poverty. It’s giving women real tools to build a better future for themselves and their families.