Govt criticised over farmers' harassment

LAHORE:

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan has criticised the alleged harassment of farmers by the Rangers, condemning the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) against them and the forced collection of electricity bills in villages.

He asserted that while the government has acknowledged instances of overbilling, there is no justification for using security forces to recover payments from farmers.

"It is unacceptable to lower food prices in cities at the expense of depriving farmers of their livelihood," the governor stated while addressing an 80-member delegation of farmer organisations, including representatives from Pakistan Kisan Ittehad and the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) South Punjab, at the Governor's House on Thursday.

The delegation, led by Chief Coordinator South Punjab Abdul Qadir Shaheen, highlighted the growing challenges faced by farmers, including rising inflation, government policies, and the ongoing crisis in the agricultural sector.

During the meeting, farmer leaders criticised what they described as "anti-agriculture" policies, demanding immediate reforms to safeguard the interests of the farming community.

They accused the government of negligence, arguing that increased costs of fertilisers, seeds, and agricultural chemicals, coupled with electricity overcharges, had pushed small-scale farmers to the brink of financial collapse.

Governor Haider Khan reaffirmed the crucial role of agriculture in Pakistan's economy, stressing the need for concrete steps to support farmers.

He reiterated that the PPP has historically stood by the farming community, unlike other political parties, which he accused of neglecting and harassing cultivators.

"The PPP will not abandon the farmers. The unjust actions against them, including the forced collection of electricity bills and raids on their homes, will be addressed at the highest level," he assured.

To address these concerns, the governor announced the formation of a three-member special committee at the Governor's House to work on resolving farmers' grievances.

He further pledged to raise the issue in meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Kisan Ittehad leaders also expressed confidence in PPP's leadership, particularly Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and formally announced their decision to join the party.

They accused the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Sharif family of orchestrating policies detrimental to the agricultural sector, alleging that power utility companies and Rangers were being used to dismantle tube well connections and remove electricity meters in a bid to cripple farming operations.

The farmer representatives further alleged that an artificial shortage of fertilisers was being created, with supplies being distributed to favoured individuals while small-scale farmers were forced to purchase them at inflated prices on the black market.

They also cited the rising costs of agricultural chemicals as another major burden on farmers.

Governor Haider Khan recalled that Pakistan's first significant agricultural reforms were introduced by former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, which he described as a landmark initiative for farmers.

"The PPP has always been the party of the working class, labourers, and farmers, and we will continue to fight for their rights," he said.

The meeting concluded with a renewed call for immediate government intervention to address the crisis in the agricultural sector and prevent further economic hardship for farmers across Punjab.