Punjab Launches Free Livestock Scheme for Rural Women's Livelihoods

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Thursday, 23 July 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a free livestock distribution program to strengthen the economic position of rural women and improve household livelihoods across the province. The Chief Minister's vision for women's economic empowerment has brought the initiative, which seeks to offer sustainable income besides helping in long-term poverty alleviation, to a woman who is eligible to benefit from it.

The program has been implemented in its first phase in 13 districts, such as Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Taunsa, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur. The government's aim is to provide livestock inputs to rural women without cost to their farmers, in order to give them a sustainable source of income, make them food secure and financially independent.

In the first stage of the scheme, the free animals will be distributed to eligible divorced and widowed rural women till their 55 years of age. The Program has defined eligibility standards to target the assistance to those who need it the most. Marital Status of Applicant must be verified by Punjab Social Protection Authority. Furthermore, women that have already got livestock through any government supported scheme of the last five years will not be eligible for the current initiative.

Key Highlights

• Free livestock distribution begins across thirteen selected Punjab districts
• Widowed and divorced women receive priority under first program phase
• Initiative aims to strengthen rural livelihoods and women's financial independence.

The Punjab government has set up Chief Minister Facilitation Desks in veterinary hospitals and animal health centres in all the participating districts to make the application process easier. The centres have been established to help women complete the application processes, verify eligibility and provide advice on the program. In addition to this, eligible applicants can apply online via the official website, which is more convenient for those with internet access.

The program is part of the provincial government's overall plan to enhance women's involvement in the economy, especially in rural areas where livelihoods are still reliant on livestock. The program aims to provide long-term economic opportunities for women by transferring productive assets directly to them, rather than providing short-term financial support.

Addressing about the initiative, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the empowerment of rural women is a key player in achieving sustainable development.

"Sustainable poverty reduction is only possible by integrating rural women into the mainstream economy."

She further emphasized that providing women with livestock assets and financial assistance would enable them to build lasting financial security while improving the overall living standards of their families.

"Supporting women through livestock assets and financial assistance will help them achieve long-term economic self-reliance while improving the living standards of rural families."

The free livestock scheme comes next in a Punjab government initiative to empower women economically by providing them with assets and livelihoods. The project targets vulnerable groups like widowed and divorced women, who are expected to be more financially included and have better income-generating opportunities as a result of the project. The program will, as implementation is taking place in each of the 13 districts, empower thousands of rural women to create sustainable livelihoods and actively participate in their local economies.