In an important operation against illegal cattle breeding, the Punjab livestock department raided a prominent private semen distribution company in Lahore, recovering 931 doses of unregistered semen. The raid was directed by Dr. Mujahid, deputy director of Lahore City Tehsil, along with his execution team.
According to officials, the semen seized included genetic material from local and foreign breeds, none of which was recorded with the cattle raising services authority (LBSA), Punjab.
Repression is part of a broader campaign throughout the province. As a result of inspections in multiple districts, there have been a total of 11 FIR against individuals and institutions involved in unauthorized artificial insemination practices. These include unregistered artificial insemination technicians and semen distributors.
Specifically, two AIT in Kasur, a semen distributor in Lahore, two AIT in Sargodha, and one aite each in Jhang, Layyah, Atock, Vehari and Rajanpur have been reserved. In addition, a semen distributor in Gujranwala also faces legal actions.
The livestock department has urged the breeders and farmers of cattle to obtain reproduction and genetic material services only from registered and authorized sources to guarantee the quality of the health and breed of animals.
When commenting on the ongoing operations, Punjab’s secretary of Cattle, Ahmad Aziz Tarar, declared that strict action will continue against all those involved in illegal reproduction practices. “Such illegal businesses will not be tolerated under any circumstance,” he said.
The general director (extension), Dr. Muhammad Ashraf, emphasized that only registered and trained personnel must participate for artificial insemination to protect the interests of cattle farmers and improve the quality of the race. He reaffirmed that the department will maintain an indiscriminate and effective application against any illegal activity in the livestock sector.
