‘Sindh won’t prosecute farmers for loan defaults’
The provincial government has refused to prosecute or take action against Sindh’s farmers for non-payment of agricultural loans and taxes.
In a statement on Thursday, Sindh Agriculture Minister Ismail Rahoo said the Centre had decided to register cases and take action against such farmers. The Sindh government objected to the action taken by the Zarai Taraqiati Bank, maintaining that it would not file a case against any farmer in the province on the Centre’s instructions.
“The crops of poor farmers were destroyed in the recent rains,” said Rahoo, demanding that agricultural loans and taxes be waived. He claimed 40 to 80 per cent of the kharif crops were damaged. He accused the premier of providing billions in tax and debt relief to those funding him, while going after farmers for a few thousand rupees.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2020.