Farmers threaten protest march to save agriculture

In Lahore, the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has threatened to organize a massive nationwide protest march, dubbed the "Million March," on September 25th if their demands are not met. Addressing a press conference with PKI President Mian Umair Masood and Chairman Khalid Hussain Batth, PKI leaders warned that the farming community could face total devastation if Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stays in office for another two and a half years.

Despite not harboring enmity towards the PML-N party, PKI is solely focused on Maryam Nawaz's resignation, accusing her of lacking political savvy and treating agricultural projects as favors for a select few. The farmers claim a massive Rs2,200 billion loss due to the provincial government's refusal to buy wheat and express outrage at the federal decision to import 3.5 million tonnes of wheat during harvest time.

Potato farmers are facing a Rs250,000 deficit per acre, and cotton yields have plummeted from 60 maunds to just 12 maunds per acre. Input costs for agricultural fertilizers have skyrocketed, with DAP fertilizer prices rising from Rs2,400 in 2016 to Rs16,600, urea prices jumping from Rs1,200 to Rs4,600, and agricultural electricity tariffs for tube-wells soaring from Rs5 to Rs40 per unit.

PKI leaders criticized the Punjab bureaucracy and government officials, particularly Azma Bokhari and Salma Butt, for their lack of understanding of agriculture. They also challenged the provincial government's claim of a 21.9 million-tonne wheat yield, stating actual production was only 15 million tonnes. PKI President Mian Umair warned that the PML-N's actions will not be forgotten by the rural electorate and announced that the farming community, having lost hope in civilian leadership, is now preparing to appeal directly to the military leadership in Rawalpindi.