The Caretaker Minister for Livestock & Dairy Development Department Punjab Mr Ibrahim Hasan Murad paid a visit to the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore and held a detailed meeting with Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad and other senior faculty members of the university here in City Campus on Friday.
Minister Livestock presided over the meeting and said in our country only the livestock sector has great potential which can play its lead role to boost the national economy of Pakistan by enhancing meat export in the international market. He said halal meat demand is very much high not only in Muslim countries rather also in non-muslim countries. He also urged to enhance milk and quality of meat production in Punjab, especially for the benefit of the poor livestock farming community. He said it is direly needed to prepare yourself to meet future challenges by producing trained human resource.
He emphasized to focusing on applied problem solving research to curb country issues. They discussed regarding the vaccine production for the eradication of deadly disease (Foot and Mouth) which is major impediments involved in the development of livestock sector even also constraint in the meat export. He assured for providing full support to the university to address financial issues.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad said due to inflation in Pakistan the cost of milk production has been very much increased and he demanded for small livestock farmer incentive (subsidy) for enhancing their profit. He also supported Punjab Government employees demand regarding enhancing their allowance & salaries according to federal government employee allowance. He said recently many of UVAS DVM students passed North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE).
Prof Nasim shared that UVAS is a research intensive university and is currently executing 80 research projects worth over Rs 900 million. He mentioned UVAS got 2nd position in Punjab, 4th in Pakistan in Times Higher Education Impact ranking while UVAS has been ranked among 351-400 in the latest Times Higher Education Asia University rankings. He briefed Minister Livestock on the UVAS academic, research, extension, advisory services, treatment and disease diagnostic facilities to save animal life, vision & mission and short term training programs etc.
Later Minister Livestock Ibrahim Murad visited different department of UVAS along with Prof Dr Nasim Ahmad including Biosafety Level-3 labs, Veterinary Academy, Department of Meat Science and Technology, Sports Complex and Pet Center. During visit for the promotion of greenery in City Campus Minister Livestock planted a sapling in front of Sports complex.