Pakistan Kissan Ittehad withdraws protest call after successful negotiation

F.P. Report

Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has withdrawn from a planned protest after successful negotiations with the Punjab government.

According to sources, Punjab Agriculture Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani held a meeting with a 10-member delegation of the farmers’ body where the two sides discussed issues faced by the farmers in the province.

The PKI had announced to begin a protest after Eidul Fitr if the government failed to address the issues of the community.

However, the provincial minister met the community leaders and formed a joint investigation committee (JIT) aimed at resolving issues faced by the farmers.

He assured the farmers’ leaders of conducting an inquiry into wheat import during the previous caretaker government.

The committee will include provincial ministers of agriculture and food, secretaries of relevant departments along the leaders of the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad.

Minister Kirmani said that the provincial government would give the farmers interest-free loans and provide the Nawaz Sharif Kissan Card that would facilitate around 1.5 million farmers.

Additionally, Punjab will build 41 agriculture facilitation centers and install solar tube wells at discounted prices.

Last month, Kissan Ittehad President Mian Umer said that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz did not conduct a single meeting on the agriculture sector.

Criticizing the government over its lack of interest in the sector, he claimed that the “sugar mafia” has not paid farmers after buying sugarcane from them.

The organization also urged the federal government to declare an agriculture emergency in the country.

Courtesy: 24 news