LAHORE - Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif has said that livestock sector is the backbone of agriculture economy and contributes an impressive 11.4 per cent to the gross domestic product of the country. He said that Punjab government was benefiting from latest technology for the progress of livestock and dairy development sector for increasing milk and meat production as well as improving socio-economic condition of those associated with this sector. He said that poverty and unemployment could be overcome through the uplift of livestock and dairy development sector besides much-needed foreign exchange could also be earned through export of dairy products. He was addressing inaugural ceremony of 6th Asian Buffalo Congress jointly arranged by the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) and Livestock & Dairy Department Punjab at a local hotel here on Tuesday. Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Malik Ahmad Ali Aulakh, Secretary Livestock Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, General Secretary International Buffalo Federation Antonio Borghese, UVAS Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Nawaz, President Asian Buffalo Association Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha besides a large number of foreign experts, researchers and farmers were present on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that buffalo was an important source of livelihood due to its milk and meat and 'Nili and 'Ravi breeds of buffalo of Punjab were known the world over. He said that dairy-farming sector was playing an important role in the economic development of the country and buffaloes were very rightly called as 'Black Gold producing 'White Oil. He said that Punjab government had taken a number of practical measures for the development and uplift of this sector, which have benefited farmers and small investors. He said that nearly 30 to 35 million rural population was engaged in dairy sector and the government was providing financial resources to small dairy farmers in the form of soft-term loans. He said that holding of 6th Asian Buffalo Congress was a proof of the fact that Punjab government was determined to promote the use of modern technology in livestock and dairy development sector. He said that the purpose of arranging this congress was to promote awareness in the farmers about the importance of raising superior breeds of buffaloes and benefiting from latest research for increasing milk and meat production. He said that participation of more than 100 delegates from all over the world in the congress would provide an opportunity of sharing each others experiences. He said that the congress would also provide a platform to the local farmers to benefit from their knowledge and experience for increasing milk and meat production. He said that development of livestock sector would result in prosperity of farmers and strengthening of national economy, therefore, government was taking revolutionary measures for the uplift of this sector. He said that government was also paying special attention to increasing the production of 'Nili and 'Ravi breeds of buffaloes and Buffalo Research Institute had been set up for this purpose in Pattoki. He said that increasing of buffaloes was a profitable business and an important means of livelihood of rural population of Pakistan. He said the UVAS was playing an important role in the progress of livestock and diary development sector. Earlier, President Asian Buffalo Association, Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha highlighted the aims and objectives of the congress. Former President International Buffalo Federation Dr Libertado C Cruze, General Secretary Prof Antonio Borghese and Vice-Chancellor Dr Muhammad Nawaz also spoke on the occasion. Later, talking to media representatives, the Chief Minister said that dialogue was the beauty of democracy and Pakistan Muslim League (N) had presented its stance to the President regarding supremacy of Parliament, restoration of the powers of Prime Minister and implementation of Charter of Democracy. He said that some private educational institutions had failed to make proper security arrangements despite charging heavy fees from students and they had been closed. He said that provision of security to students was the responsibility of private educational institutions and action would be taken against such educational institutions, which failed to make necessary security arrangements.