Tobacco growers: Dastgir promises to resolve issues
Federal Minister Khurram Dastagir distributing cheques among tobacco farmers. PHOTO: APP
Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir has assured tobacco growers that their issues would be resolved on priority basis by the government during his visit to Gujar Garhi area on Monday.
Mardan along with Swabi is one of the leading districts of the province in tobacco production, but the farmers have always protested against the indifferent attitude of the tobacco board, which they say has been ignoring their issues.
The farmers criticised the administration of tobacco board for not meeting the federal minister and turning a deaf ear to their woes.
On the occasion, Dastgir dismissed the rumours that the government was diverting the Gwadar-Kashgar trade corridor from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“We will always stand by the rights of the province and treat Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on a par with other provinces of the country,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 17th, 2015.