Agriculture challenges: Shahbaz promises all measures to protect farmers

Says agriculture conference will be held this month to consult farmers

LAHORE: The government is aware of the difficulties faced by farmers and will take all necessary steps to protect them, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

He was addressing a meeting to discuss agriculture sector problems.

“All necessary steps will be taken to protect farmers from problems arising from recession in agriculture sector at international level,” he said.

The chief minister said that an agriculture conference would be held in Lahore in March for seeking proposals for resolving farmers’ problems. “All stakeholders will be invited to the conference. Solid measures will be finalised after consulting cultivators and experts,” he said.

The chief minister said that the future of Pakistan’s economy was linked to agriculture. “Required resources will be utilised for the stability and development of agriculture sector. The government has taken a number of steps for the welfare of rural population,” he said.

The CM said that land records of 5.5 million people living in 23,000 villages had been computerised under the Land Record Management Information System. “High quality roads are being constructed in rural areas for easy access to markets. So far, roads 3,000 kilometers long have been constructed. Reconstruction of six barrages and several canals is also underway to promote agriculture,” he said.

The chief minister said that under the Prime Minister’s Kissan Relief Package, billions of rupees had been given to cultivators.

Law and order

The chief minister presided over a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Law and Order on Wednesday. The meeting condemned the Peshawar bomb blast.

The chief minister said that protection of lives of the people was the top priority of the government. “Police must perform its responsibilities efficiently. The crackdown on criminals should be continued vigorously. All resources will be provided to improve law and order,” he said.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the steps taken so far for checking the misuse of loudspeakers, provocative speeches and publication and distribution of hate material.

The chief minister also inspected vehicles provided by the federal government for police. Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Special Assistant Rana Maqbool Ahmad, MPA Jahangir Khanzada were present at the meeting.

DFID

British Department for International Development (DFID) head in Pakistan Joanna Reid called on the chief minister on Tuesday. Programmes being completed in collaboration with DFID in education, health and skills development sectors were discussed. Reid praised the government for the reforms being introduced in the education, health and skills development sectors

Turk delegation

A delegation of Turkish investors met the chief minister on Wednesday and expressed interest in setting up a renewable energy project. Shahbaz Sharif said that all facilities would be provided to the investors.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2016.