Farmers call for Punjab CM’s resignation, warn of ‘Million March’ on Rawalpindi if demand not met

LAHORE: The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) is demanding that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz step down, warning of a massive nationwide protest called the "Million March" on Rawalpindi if their demand is not fulfilled. At a press conference with PKI President Mian Umair Masood and Chairman Khalid Hussain Batth, they explained that the farming sector would face complete ruin if Maryam Nawaz stays in power for two and a half more years.

PKI clarified that they have no animosity towards the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as a party, but are strictly targeting Maryam Nawaz, who they blame for lacking political savvy and treating agricultural projects as favors for a select few.

The farming community is facing a massive financial disaster, with farmers losing Rs2,200 billion due to the provincial government's refusal to buy wheat. They criticized the federal government for importing 3.5 million tonnes of wheat while the local crop was ready to be harvested. Potato farmers have lost Rs250,000 per acre, and cotton yields have dropped from 60 maunds to just 12 maunds per acre.

The cost of agricultural inputs has soared, with a bag of DAP fertilizer increasing from Rs2,400 to Rs16,600, urea prices rising from Rs1,200 to Rs4,600, and agricultural electricity tariffs for tube-wells going from Rs5 to Rs40 per unit. The PKI also complained about the corrupt fertilizer subsidy program.

Mian Umair and Khalid Hussain Batth blamed the provincial bureaucracy and government spokespersons, specifically mentioning Azma Bokhari and Salma Butt, accusing them of not understanding agriculture. Batth questioned the government's claim of a 21.9 million-tonne wheat yield, stating that actual production only reached 15 million tonnes.

He asked the Punjab government why they would turn a blind eye to major industrial players like Ramzan Sugar Mills when they ignore unpaid sugarcane dues from poor farmers. In the end, PKI President Mian Umair warned that the PML-N's actions will not be forgotten by the rural electorate and announced that the desperate farming community, having lost all faith in civilian leadership, is now preparing to make a final appeal to the military leadership in Rawalpindi.