Naqvi to steer agri reform

LAHORE:

Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has approved the establishment of a task force for the improvement of the agricultural sector, increase in production and facilitating access to the markets. The caretaker CM will be the chairman of the task force that will submit its recommendations within seven days for increasing agricultural production, use of new seeds, easy access to the market and other related matters.

He announced decisions in order to expeditiously solve the problems of growers of Punjab during a briefing by a 50-member delegation of progressive farmers.

The delegation submitted its recommendations for better cultivation of cotton, wheat, sugarcane, corn and other crops.

Livestock and fish farmers also put forth their problems and recommendations.

It was agreed during the meeting to undertake effective measures and promote research for maximum production of agricultural commodities, livestock and fish.

Philanthropist and industrialist Gohar Ejaz announced a plan to set up a fund worth Rs1 billion on behalf of the APTMA Foundation to increase the production of cotton and for research.

The caretaker chief minister said prompt decisions would be taken in the light of the recommendations of the task force.

He asked all the ministers to hold meetings with the farmers at the divisional level. The provincial ministers along with the commissioners will listen to the problems of farmers and take essential measures to solve them at the earliest.

It was decided that the APTMA Foundation would provide funding to the agriculture universities to undertake research on cotton and better seeds for other crops.

The caretaker CM issued directives for effective measures in order to ensure supply of fertilisers and stop black marketing.

It was decided that the federal government would be contacted regarding restoration of the GST subsidy on tube-well electricity bills.

The caretaker CM directed the officials concerned to expedite the lumpy skin vaccination campaign and ordered formulation of recommendations to solve problems of fish farmers.

Measures were also reviewed to relocate the fish market in Lahore. It was also decided that fields would be protected from damage caused by animals.

The caretaker chief minister said the government wanted to solve the problems of farmers on a priority basis.

Provincial ministers, secretaries of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, the vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and other officials concerned were also present.

The task-force will comprise caretaker Provincial Minister for Industries SM Tanveer, the secretaries of agriculture, irrigation and livestock, heads of agricultural research institutes, Gohar Ejaz, Syed Yawar Ali, Zaka Ashraf and Fawad Mukhtar.

Kashmir Solidarity Day

The caretaker chief minister also issued directives on Saturday to observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day in a vigorous and befitting manner across the province.

He said congregations should be organised in the divisional headquarters, districts and tehsils of Punjab. Rallies will also be organised in every city to express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

The caretaker CM appealed to the people to actively participate in the congregations and rallies with the Pakistan and Kashmir flags. He emphasised that the Pakistani nation would demonstrate its complete solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters against the Indian atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on February 5.

“We want to give a clear message to the people of Kashmir that they are not alone in their freedom struggle but the whole Pakistani nation is resolutely standing with them,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2023.