Farmer unions to protest countrywide from 22nd

LAHORE: A pivotal joint assembly of farmer unions and movements from all corners of the country on Thursday demanded urgent measures against those involved in the wheat scandal.

Farmers hailing from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan stood united in their demands. Farooq Tariq, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Kissan Tabita Committee, took to the podium, demanding swift apprehension of former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, alongside implicated bureaucrats and importers.

He passionately advocated for fair compensation for affected farmers and decisive action against those responsible for importing substandard wheat. Tariq starkly revealed the staggering import figures: 3.4 million tons of wheat were imported between August 2023 and March 2024, resulting in a colossal waste of 330 billion rupees due to infestation. In tandem, Malik Zulfiqar Awan, President of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, reiterated the call to dismantle the flawed wheat import policy, advocating for the establishment of tehsil-level laboratories to counter fraudulent fertilisers and sprays.

The farmers’ demands extend to a minimum support price for wheat and other crops, coupled with stringent market regulations to ensure equitable returns. They insist on the government’s obligation to procure wheat annually and equitably distribute bardana to small farmers and peasants.

With resolve, they announced nationwide protests slated for May 21, warning of escalated agitation until their grievances are addressed. In a resounding joint declaration, they pledged to amplify the plight of Pakistani farmers on the global stage, serving notice to authorities against any attempts to stifle their outcry.