QUETTA(National Times)- The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad has postponed its long march and sit-in towards Islamabad, which was scheduled to begin from Quetta on Friday, following a request and assurances from the Balochistan government.
According to Home Affairs Adviser Babar Yousafzai, a government delegation led by Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jattak met Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Baath. Member of the Balochistan Assembly Mir Jahanzeb Mengal also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the government delegation assured the farmers’ leader that steps would be taken to address the demands of the farming community and fulfil their legitimate concerns.
Mr Yousafzai said Khalid Baath accepted the government’s assurances and request and announced the postponement of the long march towards Islamabad. He also assured the government delegation of the farmers’ cooperation.
He said the Kissan Ittehad had decided to postpone the march in view of the prevailing national situation and law and order concerns.
The home affairs adviser said the dialogue between the Balochistan government and the Kissan Ittehad was an important step towards progress. He added that the provincial government was taking serious measures to address the demands of the farming community.
Press conference
Earlier, before postponing the protest following a meeting with the government delegation, Mr Baath said at a press conference that a long march on Islamabad had been planned to press for the acceptance of farmers’ and landowners’ demands, including the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
He said the protest would continue until their demands were accepted.
Mr Baath said farmers’ caravans from across the country would join the Islamabad march.
He said the movement aimed to highlight the agricultural problems faced by farmers and address the deteriorating condition in the agriculture sector. He said the farmers would launch a nationwide campaign for their rights and demands and continue their peaceful struggle until the problems facing the agricultural sector were resolved.
He said they had serious reservations about Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz’s agricultural policies and were demanding her resignation.
He said farmers were the backbone of the country’s food supply, adding that the agriculture sector had suffered severely over the past three years due to what he described as flawed policies.
He said rising inflation had made it difficult for low-income people to afford even basic food items, while urgent and effective measures were needed to revive the sector and support farmers.
Mr Baath further said the prosperity of farmers was essential for the prosperity of Balochistan and Pakistan. He alleged that bureaucrats were unaware of the problems faced by farmers and landowners and that flawed policies and decisions had harmed the country.
He appealed to Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti to declare an agricultural emergency in the province and prioritise agriculture over development projects.
He said that due to law and order problems in Balochistan, deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners were unable to even reach their offices.
