PTI demands agricultural emergency

Farmer wing calls for halt to sugar export

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Kisan Wing leaders have called for the imposition of an agricultural emergency and an immediate halt to sugar exports.

Speaking to the media, PTI Kisan Wing Vice President Mian Ghaus said the country was importing agricultural products worth $10 billion due to government incompetence and flawed policies.

He said recent rains had exposed shortcomings in the government's preparedness and agricultural management, while key sectors and research institutions had been neglected and handed over to the private sector.

Ghaus claimed that wheat worth $1 billion had been exported in 2022, resulting in shortages over the following two years. He said annual cotton production, which had stood at more than 10 million bales a decade ago, had fallen to around five million bales, while rice production had also declined.

He alleged that a "sugar mafia" was exerting pressure to allow exports and a large number of mills were owned by figures associated with the two major ruling parties.

He urged the relevant institutions to prevent sugar exports and prioritise domestic consumers by ensuring the availability of essential commodities at affordable prices.