Pakistan, July 23 -- Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that the Punjab government was committed to economic empowerment of rural women through the Free Livestock Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and reducing poverty across the province.

On the chief minister's directives, distribution of free livestock has commenced in the first phase for eligible rural women in 13 districts, including Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Taunsa, Bahawalnagar, Khanewal, Vehari, Lodhran, Dera Ghazi Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Layyah, Kot Addu and Bahawalpur.

Under the programme, widowed and divorced rural women up to 55 years of age will be eligible to receive free livestock. Applicants must have ...