Edible items (Ramadan package) on Friday were disbursed for 200 underprivileged families at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad under the project of Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA).

Edible items (Ramadan package) on Friday were disbursed for 200 underprivileged families at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad under the project of Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA). UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan along with Dean Veterinary Sciences Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa, TIKA Senior Programmer Mahmood Saeed, former dean Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi and Director Student Affairs Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi distributed the package among the 200 families living on the outskirts (villages) of Faisalabad and Samundri. The Ramadan package is holding the edible including wheat, rice, oil, dates, pulses and others items. UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said the University was running a goat distribution project in collaboration with Turkish organization TIKA as step toward poverty alleviation. He said that the under the project, 5 goats are being given to the poor farming community in order to raise their income and help them come out of poverty. He condemned the brutal act of suicide attack in Istanbul that took the lives of many people. He said that we stand with the Turkish people in solidarity in their fight against terrorism. He also prayed for the departed souls. He said that both countries are enjoying good relations, having similarities in traditions etc. He said Turkey always stood with Pakistan in the difficult times including earthquake, floods; and helped us in poverty alleviation. He said that Pakistan development is directly linked to the rural development and the special focus was needed to address the problems of rural population. Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa said that the University was making all out efforts to address the problems of the farming community. He said that his faculty was enjoying the good relations with the Turkish counterparts to address the issue of the farmers at their doorsteps. Dr Laeeq Akbar Lodhi said that per animal milk production in the country was low compared to the rest of the world. He said that modern methods must be applied to increase the productivity. Dr Zafar Iqbal Qureshi said that without the rural development, the goal of the poverty alleviation cannot be fulfilled. He said that livestock was the integral part of the agriculture and Tika goat programme was a step towards poverty alleviation.