ECP halts implementation of PM’s Kissan package

The election body has halted the implementation of three parts of the package until December 3

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday halted certain parts of Nawaz Sharif’s Rs341 billion Kissan package -- a controversial relief package announced by the PM ahead of local government elections in Sindh and Punjab.

The secretary ECP said the package was a violation of the code of conduct of the commission as it was announced at a time that could heavily influence voters.

The election body has halted three parts of the package and their implementation till December 3. The three points include:

1) Rs5,000 per acre to the farmers to the extent of 12.5 acres

2) 2% deduction in rate of interest for rice and cotton growers

3) Rice from Rs2,000 to Rs4,000 in production index units of agricultural lands

The prime minister’s package was announced on September 15 according to which farmers would receive Rs341 billion in grants, subsidies and loan advances from the government, in a bid to spur sluggish growth in one of the country’s main economic sectors.

On September 22, election authorities had sought assurance from the government that the relief package for farmers would not be used in any way to influence voters in the forthcoming local government elections.

Read: ECP questions timing of PM’s Kisan package ahead of LG polls

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and other opposition groups had approached ECP with apprehensions about intent of government for introducing packages when schedule for local government elections in Punjab and Sindh was already announced.