Govt announces new internship programme

LAHORE: The Punjab government has launched the Aqua Shrimp Farming Internship Programme aimed on the guidelines of CM Maryam Nawaz.

The programme is aimed at promoting aquaculture and generating job opportunities for the youth.

The program aims to provide practical training to both female and male graduates holding bachelor’s degrees in fisheries, aquaculture, and zoology.

Participants in the internship will receive a monthly stipend of Rs50,000 for six months, thereby offering a compelling incentive for young individuals to gain hands-on experience in shrimp farming.

Trainees will be taken to a state-of-the-art shrimp farm located in Muzaffargarh, which is overseen by the fisheries department.

Interested applicants are encouraged to complete the internship application form available online for the youth of Punjab.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized that there is a significant market for shrimp farming both domestically and internationally.

She further noted that shrimp farming can be conducted on land spanning 100,000 acres, potentially generating foreign exchange earnings exceeding one billion US dollars.

To promote this initiative, the government will facilitate access to land, provide equipment on hire, and offer incentives for farmers and investors interested in this venture.

It is expected that the establishment of shrimp farming will directly employ approximately 10,000 to 20,000 people in the Punjab area.

Chief Minister Sharif encouraged the youth to seize this opportunity and strive for self-employment and financial independence through shrimp farming.