LAHORE: The Punjab government has set aside Rs600 million for a new veterinary internship programme in the province.
Under the Chief Minister Internship Programme, veterinary graduates will receive a monthly stipend of Rs60,000, while para-vets and livestock assistants will get Rs40,000 during their internship.
Graduates holding a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, recognised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), can apply in their own districts. Those who have completed a two-year Livestock Assistant Diploma (LAD) course are also eligible.
Applications can be submitted online at www.jobs.punjab.gov.pk. A fixed quota has been set for veterinary assistants, AI technicians, and lab assistants in all 36 districts of Punjab.
According to the government, the programme will help livestock farmers by providing treatment and consultation services at their doorsteps. It aims to promote livestock development in Punjab, while also giving young professionals practical field experience along with a monthly income.
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Meanwhile, Punjab School and Higher Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has announced that the province will increase its education development budget by a record 400 per cent — raising it from Rs32 billion to Rs110 billion. He said the higher education budget will also be increased by up to 500 per cent.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Information Minister Azma Bukhari on Thursday, Mr Hayat said that under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Punjab will provide scholarships to 5,000 students from other provinces. He criticised the KP government for blocking cooperation with students, saying education should have no boundaries.
He said the PML-N government had launched 5,006 development schemes in the education sector compared to 1,004 by the PTI government.
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According to him, the government adopted global standards, shut the doors to corruption, and introduced reforms such as the e-transfer policy, permanent appointments of education officials, and Nadra-verified student enrollments.
Mr Hayat claimed the government reduced the teacher shortage from 56,000 to 26,000, set up a commission for Early Childhood Education, and built 12,000 classrooms where 450,000 children are now enrolled. He said the School Meal Programme has improved enrollment and student health.
He added that while one classroom used to cost Rs5 million, the government built 400 rooms for Rs1.25 million each, saving a large amount of taxpayers’ money.
