Protesting farmers

There were violent scenes in Lahore midweek as the Punjab government unsuccessfully tried to break up a protest by farmers decrying the “economic murder” committed by the PTI-led federal and provincial governments. Some 200 arrests were made at Thokar Niaz Beg after police came out with batons swinging and thrashed dozens of protesters who were blocking Multan Road, an important thoroughfare. At least two people have been hospitalised with “serious injuries”, according to protest leaders, who have now added a demand for the release of their arrested colleagues if they are to be convinced to move.

Chief among their complaints are the massive recent fuel price hike and the unavailability of fertiliser. Other concerns cited include higher prices for electricity, compost, and various farming-related inputs.

However, it is not just these headline concerns that are hitting farmers. GST levies also apply to several agriculture inputs. This is in contrast with several countries which exempt the entire food production chain to help keep prices down. Meanwhile, water supply is still spotty in several areas, creating an overreliance on rain for critical food crops.

None of these problems will be easy to fix, and most of them are due to factors that either predate the PTI’s time in power or are beyond any Pakistani government’s control. However, as many pundits have noted, this is a hole that the PTI has dug for itself because of its habitual — and often unfair — critique of fuel and other price hikes during its time as an opposition party. The now-ruling party convinced millions of people that the government is to blame for all price hikes, and is now reaping what it sowed.

Meanwhile, the removal or weakening of several market controls that kept farmers — and other citizens — afloat has amplified the negative impact of several otherwise necessary economic reforms pursued by the government. But none of the advanced economic reasoning will matter to the common man. What matters is that food has become unaffordable, and yet, farming has become unprofitable. As the protesters warned, this is a national food security crisis in the making.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2022.

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