LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that dairy development and livestock sector can play an important role for the progress of the province and government is paying full attention to the betterment of both departments. He also directed to form two separate task forces on dairy development and livestock which will present comprehensive and solid recommendations for the uplift of these sectors. It was stated by him while presiding over a meeting of livestock and dairy development department at Chief Minister's Secretariat, here Monday. Various matters including performance of the department and increase in production of milk and meat were discussed in detail. Chairman Task Force Haroon Khawaja, Umer Qureshi, Secretary Livestock, Secretary Planning and Development, Special Secretary Finance, DG Extension and Research, Director Planning as well as experts from private sector attended the meeting. The Chief Minister said that livestock and dairy development sector was ignored during the last eight years due to which it is in poor condition. He said that there are bright prospects of development of these sectors for which foreign investors are being invited while services of experts are also being utilized. He said that progress of livestock and dairy development sector is of vital importance and there is a need for motivating small cultivators also for bringing a revolution in this sector. He directed setting up of a model pilot project to be run with the assistance of private sector whereas the government will extend only cooperation to the project. He gave approval for the establishment of livestock development fund for the uplift of livestock sector and directed that recommendations be formulated and submitted to him in this regard. He also gave approval to various matters including livestock business estate, reorganisation of slaughter houses and directed Secretary Livestock to submit him proposals as soon as possible for the implementation of these projects. Earlier, Secretary Livestock while giving a detailed briefing about the performance of the department informed that 22 livestock farms, 3644 veterinary health institutes, 73 mobile dispensaries ten poultry farms, four semen production unites and four research institutes are being operated under the control of the department the department. He also gave details of dairy cooperative model and submitted various proposals for the uplift of this sector. Experts also put forward various suggestions about livestock and dairy development department.