Maryam Nawaz Cow Scheme 2026 — Free Cow and Buffalo for Poor Women in Punjab

The Punjab government is giving free cows and buffaloes to poor women in South Punjab. You do not pay anything. You do not need a man to apply. You go yourself, register yourself, and the cow comes to you.

This is called the CM Punjab Livestock Asset Transfer Scheme. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif started it with Rs. 2 billion. The goal is simple — give a poor widow or divorced woman a cow or buffalo so she can sell milk every day and earn money for her family.

But you need to apply fast. In Phase 2, 1,28,562 women applied — only 4,870 got selected. That means only 1 woman in every 26 was chosen. The women who applied early and with correct documents had the best chance.

If a new phase opens — apply on the very first day.

Also Read ➡ Benazir Nashonuma Programme Registration

What Is This Scheme — In Simple Words

Think of it this way.

The government is not giving you cash that finishes in one month. It is giving you a living asset — a cow or buffalo that produces milk every single day. You sell that milk. You earn money every day. That money never stops as long as the animal is healthy.

One good buffalo gives 10 to 12 litres of milk per day in peak season. If you sell even 8 litres at Rs. 120 to Rs. 150 per litre — that is Rs. 960 to Rs. 1,200 every single day. Every month, that becomes Rs. 28,000 to Rs. 36,000.

For a widow in a South Punjab village where daily labour pays Rs. 800 — this changes everything.

And when the animal has a calf — that calf itself can be sold for Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 after 6 to 8 months.

One animal. Managed properly. Can pull a whole family out of daily struggle.

Who Can Apply — Simple Eligibility List

Not every woman can apply. Read this list carefully. Every single point must be true for you.

Condition	What It Means
You must be a widow or divorced woman	Married women with husbands cannot apply for this scheme
Age under 55 years	Women 55 and above are not eligible
Live in one of the 12 South Punjab districts	Only these specific districts are covered
PMT Score 32 or below	Your poverty score from PSER/NSER survey must be low
You must not own any animal already	If you already have a cow or buffalo, you cannot apply
Valid CNIC	Your ID card must not be expired
You must be able to care for the animal	You need basic knowledge or willingness to learn

The 12 Eligible Districts

Your home must be in one of these districts:

Multan — Khanewal — Lodhran — Vehari — Bahawalpur — Bahawalnagar — Rahim Yar Khan — Dera Ghazi Khan — Layyah — Muzaffargarh — Rajanpur — Kot Addu

If you live in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, or any other district — this scheme does not cover you yet. It is only for South Punjab right now.

Which Animal Will You Get — This Is What Others Don’t Tell You

This is the part no other article explains clearly — and it matters a lot.

You do not get to choose the animal. The government decides based on your district.

Here is how it works:

If you live in Multan, Bahawalpur, or DG Khan area: You will likely receive a cow or buffalo. These are dairy districts with good water and green fodder available.

• Cows given are Sahiwal or Cholistani breed — these are Pakistan’s best local cow breeds. They handle heat well and give good milk.
• Buffaloes given are Nili Ravi or Kundi breed — these are the top dairy buffalo breeds in Pakistan. A Nili Ravi buffalo can give up to 15 litres of milk per day.

If you live in Layyah, Rajanpur, or Muzaffargarh: You may receive a goat instead of a cow. This is not a downgrade. These areas are dry — cows and buffaloes need a lot of water and fodder that is hard to find there. Goats survive on very little water. They are easy to manage. And a goat gives 2 to 4 babies per year — each one worth Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000.

So do not be disappointed if you get a goat instead of a cow. For your area, it is actually the better choice.

How to Apply — Step by Step

There are 3 ways to apply. Use the one that is easiest for you.

Way 1 — Mobile App (Easiest If You Have Android Phone)

1. Open Google Play Store on your phone
2. Search for: “Livestock Punjab”
3. Download the app — it is made by PITB, the government IT body
4. Open the app and enter your 13-digit CNIC number
5. Fill in your name, marital status (widow or divorced), and mobile number
6. Upload a photo of your CNIC and your domicile or electricity bill
7. Press Submit
8. You will get a reference number by SMS — save this number carefully

Way 2 — Official Website

1. Open livestock.punjab.gov.pk on your phone or computer
2. Go to the “Asset Transfer to Rural Women” section
3. Create an account using your CNIC
4. Fill the form and upload your documents

Way 3 — Go to the Office in Person

If you do not have a smartphone or internet — this is for you.

1. Go to your nearest Veterinary Hospital or Livestock and Dairy Development Office
2. Bring your original CNIC and a utility bill or domicile certificate
3. Tell the officer you want to apply for the “free livestock scheme for rural women”
4. They will fill the form and submit your application for you

Helpline: If you are confused or need help — call 08000-9211. This is free. Available 24 hours, 7 days.

What Happens After You Apply

Most women apply and then wait — not knowing what is happening. Here is the full process so you understand every step.

Step 1 — Verification After you apply, your information is checked against NADRA records and the PSER poverty database. A field officer may also visit your home to confirm you do not already own livestock.

Step 2 — E-Balloting (Computer Lottery) All eligible applications are put into a digital lottery system. The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) runs this lottery on a computer. No one can interfere. No sifarish works here. The selection is completely random and transparent.

Step 3 — SMS If You Are Selected If your name comes out — you receive an SMS on your registered number. This SMS is your proof.

Step 4 — Collect Your Animal Take that SMS and your original CNIC to your local animal distribution center or veterinary hospital. After biometric verification, the animal is given to you.

The whole process from application to receiving the animal usually takes 2 to 3 months after the balloting date.

⚠️ The Most Important Rule — That Almost Nobody Mentions

I want to say this clearly because I have seen women lose their benefit over this.

You cannot sell the animal for one full year after receiving it.

This is a strict government rule. If you sell the animal — for any reason, at any price — you will be removed from the scheme. And you may not be allowed to apply for any Punjab government scheme in the future.

The government also does 12 months of follow-up monitoring. Livestock department workers visit district level to check the animal is alive, healthy, and being cared for. If the animal is missing and you cannot explain why — this is treated as a violation.

Why this rule? Because in the early days of such programmes, some women would take the animal and sell it to a butcher the next week. The government wants this to create long-term income — not a one-time sale.

Also remember — only one animal per household. You cannot apply for a second animal even if your situation is very poor.

What Else You Get With the Animal

The scheme does not just hand you a cow and leave. Along with the animal, you get:

• Free veterinary care — government vets come to your area or are available nearby
• Feed and fodder support — help with wanda and silage costs
• Basic dairy farming training — how to milk properly, how to feed the animal, how to keep it healthy
• Animal Identity Tag — your animal gets a digital ID so it is traceable and protected from theft

If the animal gets sick at any time during the programme period — call 08000-9211 and a vet will assist you.

Can I Get This AND BISP Kafalat at the Same Time?

Yes. Absolutely.

This is one of the most common questions I get — and the answer makes a lot of women very happy.

This livestock scheme is a Punjab government programme. BISP Kafalat is a federal government programme. They are completely separate. One does not cancel the other.

If you are already receiving BISP Kafalat payments — you can still apply for this free animal scheme, as long as you meet the other eligibility conditions.

So a widow in Multan who receives Rs. 14,500 from BISP every quarter could also receive a free buffalo through this scheme and earn Rs. 30,000+ per month from milk. Both at the same time.

But for this, your PMT score must be 32 or below. That score comes from your NSER or PSER survey data. If your survey data is old or wrong, your score may be too high. Update your NSER survey at the BISP Tehsil office first.

Also Read ➡ Benazir Kafalat Program New Registration 2026

Why This Scheme Is Different From Cash Programmes

Most government schemes give money. Money runs out. This scheme gives you something different.

A cow or buffalo is a permanent productive asset. It does not expire. It does not run out. In fact — it grows. It gives calves. Those calves grow into more animals. Over two or three years, one buffalo can become the start of a small dairy business.

I have sat with women in South Punjab villages who started with nothing. One animal. One year of hard work. By the second year — selling milk daily, selling a calf — they had stopped depending on anyone. Their children went to school. They held their heads up.

That is what this scheme is designed to do. Not just feed a family for a month. Build them a way to feed themselves forever.

Common Problems and Answers

“My PMT score is 35 — can I still apply?”

No. The score must be 32 or below. If you are genuinely poor and your score is higher, visit your nearest BISP Tehsil office and request an NSER survey update. If your real situation is worse than what the data shows, a re-survey can lower your score. Then apply in the next phase.

“I am a widow but I already have a goat — can I apply?”

The condition says “no existing livestock.” Owning a goat may disqualify you. Go to your nearest Livestock office and ask them directly — they can clarify based on your specific situation.

“I applied but never heard back”

Check that your mobile number was correct on the application. Call 08000-9211 and give your reference number — they can tell you the current status of your application.

“Someone told me to pay Rs. 500 to register”

This is fraud. Registration is 100% free. No fee. No agent fee. No “processing charge.” If anyone asks you for money to apply for this scheme — walk away and report them to 08000-9211 immediately.

A Word Before You Go

I know how hard life is in South Punjab for a woman on her own — no husband, children to feed, no steady income, every day a struggle.

This scheme will not come to your door. You have to go and take it. One trip to the office. One form. One application.

And that one action — could change what the next ten years of your life look like.

If you qualify, apply today. Do not wait. Do not let anyone confuse you or ask you for money. The government has made this free and digital exactly so that middlemen cannot stand between you and what you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions