Barren cause? PPP demands compensation for Wana agriculture

Farmers pay heavy price as hailstorms have damaged season’s crops

DI KHAN: Pakistan Peoples Party held a rally on Friday in the Wana subdivision of South Waziristan Agency (SWA). They urged the government to declare Wana as a “calamity-hit area” following the heavy hailstorm that hit the town recently and negatively impacted agricultural output.

“During this critical time, the FATA Disaster Management Authority (FDMA) should immediately carry out a survey to determine the lives lost and the suffering of locals,” former PPP NA-41 (SWA) candidate Amanullah Khan said while addressing locals at the rally.

He added substantial damage caused to Wana’s agriculture due to the thunderstorm has triggered substantial losses to farmers as their main source of income has been affected. The government should announce a comprehensive relief package, he stressed.

The PPP member criticised the agricultural department, saying it is involved in deep-rooted corruption and has repeatedly embezzled funds allocated for local agriculture.



He added the government should take notice of incompetent and corrupt officials in the department.

Wana is an agricultural land where fruits and vegetables are grown, especially apple orchards, the harvest of which is also exported to other parts of the country.

However, due to the hailstorm, the season’s orchards have been damaged, leaving behind distraught farmers.

The rally, held in the main bazaar of SWA, was attended by a large number of locals who were addressed by PPP’s local leaders Amanullah Khan, Imran Mukhlas and  Humayun Akhtar.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2016.