Kissan Ittehad Chairman Khalid Hussain Bath has announced a long march towards Islamabad, saying farmers from across the country will join the protest to press the government for acceptance of their demands.
Bath said the march was aimed at highlighting problems faced by farmers and landowners and would form part of a broader national movement for farmers’ rights.
He said the organisation would continue its struggle until problems facing the agriculture sector were addressed.
Bath said farmers across the country were facing serious economic difficulties and blamed government agricultural policies for worsening their situation.
He also expressed reservations over the agricultural policies of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and demanded her resignation.
Bath said farmers played a central role in meeting the country’s food requirements and argued that urgent measures were needed to revive the agriculture sector.
He claimed agriculture had been severely affected by government policies during the past three years and said rising inflation had also increased pressure on ordinary consumers.
The Kissan Ittehad chairman said a prosperous farming community was essential for the economic well-being of both Balochistan and Pakistan.
Bath also criticised the bureaucracy over its handling of farmers’ issues and appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to declare an agricultural emergency in the province.
He called on the provincial government to give greater priority to agriculture, including by redirecting resources from other development projects towards the sector.
Bath also referred to the security situation in Balochistan, claiming that unrest in some areas had made it difficult for deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners to reach their offices.
Kissan Ittehad has said farmers from all four provinces will participate in the protest, which is planned to proceed from Quetta towards Islamabad.
Reporter: Essa Tareen