The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has voiced its support for the farming community's demands following the Punjab government's decision to deregulate the wheat market — a policy shift being met with mixed reactions across the agricultural sector.
The Punjab government had on Wednesday announced the adoption of a "deregulation and free market policy" -- marking the first time in the province's history that restrictions on wheat marketing and inter-provincial movement have been lifted.
Officials argue that the move will empower farmers by enabling them to secure better market prices for their produce through increased buyer competition. In a significant change, the government has also opened wheat procurement to the private sector.
However, several farmers' associations have opposed the policy, demanding the government announce a minimum support price (MSP) for the current wheat crop by April 14.
Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) Chairman Khalid Khokhar led a protest outside the Multan Press Club, asserting that farmers had cultivated wheat based on public encouragement from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and are now awaiting a fair and guaranteed price for their yield.
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram criticised the deregulation without an announced support price, stating, "Exploitation of farmers is unacceptable." He cited what he termed improved pricing mechanisms and timely access to essential farming inputs during his party's tenure.
"Our government ensured that farmers received fair returns, timely payments, and access to fertiliser, quality seeds, and irrigation — measures that positively impacted the national economy, contributing to a growth rate of 6.5 per cent," Akram said. He urged the administration to heed the PKI's demands and fix the wheat support price at Rs5,000 per maund.
Akram added, "The PTI stands with every voice advocating justice and dignity for farmersthe backbone of this nation."
Wheat is the country's principal food grain, covering approximately 66% of the area under food crops and contributing 74% of total grain production. It accounts for 13.8% of agriculture's value-added contribution and 3.4% of the national GDP. Punjab and Sindh produce 90% of the country's wheat.
The state-regulated wheat support price system in Pakistan dates back to the 1950s, developed to shield farmers from market volatility and ensure food security. Over the decades, policies have evolved, with institutions such as the Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Corporation (PASSCO) and Agricultural Prices Commission (APCom) playing pivotal roles in price stabilisation and strategic reserves.
No-trust anniversary
The PTI also staged protest demonstrations in several cities across Punjab to mark the third anniversary of the ousting of former prime minister Imran Khan through a parliamentary no-confidence vote.
The protests were organised on the call of PTI founder Imran Khan. Provincial PTI Chief Organiser Aliya Hamza led the demonstrations, with party lawmakers, local leaders and election candidates participating in rallies in cities, including Lahore, Sialkot and Kahuta.
Despite restrictions imposed by law enforcement authorities, party supporters managed to organise demonstrations at several locations.
Addressing the media, Hamza condemned what she described as political repression and alleged mistreatment of PTI workers by law enforcement agencies. "PTI stands united behind Imran Khan," she said, adding that the protests were intended to remind the nation of what the party claims was an externally influenced political transition in 2022.
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