Pakistan’s livestock sector is the backbone of the rural economy. Along with agriculture, livestock plays the most fundamental and important role in supporting millions of rural households.

منہ کھر کی نئی قسم کا الرٹ جاری، ویکسین کی فوری منظوری کا مطالبہ

If we leave the poultry sector aside, the basis of Pakistan’s livestock production system is the traditional farming system, where millions of poor and middle-class farmers are busy taking care of millions of animals. Even a laborer working in another person’s field usually owns a few animals of his own. Unfortunately, the cold offices of Islamabad often fail to realize the importance of this system. It is an asset, not a liability, and its destruction will ultimately mean the destruction of the country’s rural economy.

منہ کھر کی ویکسین کی تیاری کیلئے پلانٹ لگایا جائے ، شاکر عمر گجر

Foot and Mouth Disease – FMD Outbreak

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has spread across Punjab and continues to intensify with time. It is severely affecting livestock production while causing immense suffering to affected animals. Due to the regular movement and purchase of animals through livestock markets in Punjab, the disease is spreading to other parts of the country.

An official of a breeders’ association in Punjab stated that such a severe outbreak has not been witnessed in many years. Livestock owners in Karachi also report that very few animals arriving from livestock markets remain free from the disease.

FMD Control Strategy under EU funded GRASP Project for Sindh

The Economic Impact of FMD Outbreak

If the present situation continues, traditional livestock farming, commercial dairy farming, and meat production will all suffer serious losses. Reduced milk and meat production will not only affect domestic food availability but will also negatively impact Pakistan’s meat export industry. Additional international trade restrictions may also arise.

At the same time, the rural economy will be severely affected, creating a serious imbalance in the country’s overall economic system.

منہ کھر ویکسین پلانٹ کی انسٹالیشن میں پیش رفت کیلئے سٹیک ہولڈرز کا اہم اجلاس

FMD Vaccination Program Produced Results

From 2017 until the beginning of 2019, regular foot and mouth disease vaccination was carried out in selected districts of Punjab in collaboration with FAO.

The owner of one of Pakistan’s largest meat farms stated that without that vaccination campaign, the farm might have been forced to shut down. During that period, disease outbreaks remained under control and no major epidemic occurred.

Later, however, the situation changed. Funding shortages, financial confusion, regulatory complications, and administrative weaknesses gradually weakened the vaccination program.

 منہ کھر ویکسین کی مقامی سطح پر پروڈکشن اہم ضرورت، ممکنہ سیروٹائپ کے پیش نظر بروقت اقدامات اٹھائے جائیں، ڈاکٹر علمدار حسین

Administrative Failure and FMD Outbreak

Unfortunately, the biggest challenge is not merely the disease itself but the administrative failures surrounding its control.

If we examine Punjab’s data after July 2017, it becomes clear that as long as regular vaccination continued in the selected nine districts, disease pressure in the remaining districts remained relatively low. However, when vaccination activities became limited mainly to South Punjab, the consequences gradually became visible and are now evident across the province.

Warnings on Foot and Mouth Disease 

The Livestock Department of Punjab was likely aware of the internal situation well before the outbreak intensified. Newspapers also highlighted the issue several weeks earlier.

At the same time, Dairy and Cattle Farmers Association Pakistan President Shakir Umar Gujjar formally requested emergency vaccination through an official letter in early February. Likewise, Buffalo Breeders Association Punjab Pakistan General Secretary Engineer Samiullah also drew attention to the seriousness of the situation. Had timely preventive measures been taken, the outcome could have been very different.

Importance of FMD Vaccination 

According to reports, imported vaccines were available in government cold storage for the proposed disease-free zone, but they were not utilized effectively and in time. At the same time, vaccines available locally have generally not provided satisfactory protection.

Disease-free zoning is certainly important, but protecting only selected areas while leaving the remaining livestock population vulnerable cannot be considered an effective long-term strategy.

Former Federal Minister Fakhar Imam also highlighted the shortage of quality vaccines after meetings with provincial livestock ministers. He wrote to all Chief Ministers requesting immediate arrangements for vaccine imports and other emergency measures.

Meanwhile, traditional planning, meetings, visits, and correspondence between provincial governments and the federation have continued, while the disease continues to spread.

Pakistan Needs Domestic FMD Vaccine Production

The long-term solution is to establish foot and mouth disease vaccine production within Pakistan. This proposal has already been under serious consideration in connection with CPEC projects.

Even if vaccine production facilities are established immediately, experts believe it may still take several years before locally produced vaccines become available on a commercial scale.

Until then, provincial governments—particularly Punjab—should continue regular vaccination campaigns using quality imported vaccines. Districts such as Sheikhupura, Sahiwal, Vehari, Okara, Pakpattan, and other areas where previous vaccination campaigns produced encouraging results should once again become priority vaccination zones.

Immediate Action Is Needed

The Prime Minister of Pakistan should take immediate notice of the current serious situation. Wherever imported vaccines are already available through government stocks, they should be utilized immediately through emergency vaccination campaigns. Additional vaccines should be imported through a one-window operation by allocating emergency funds.

At the same time, all pending matters related to domestic vaccine production under CPEC should be finalized without delay.

Responsibility Must Also Be Determined

Along with emergency disease control measures, the Prime Minister should also order an inquiry into the delay in vaccination activities in Punjab and determine whose incompetence or negligence resulted in such extensive economic losses to Pakistan’s livestock sector.