OKARA, April 16: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said on Wednesday the government would bring down fertilizer prices before Kharif season.

He was speaking at a public meeting held at Mazharabad Farm, Deepalpur, in connection with the inauguration of wheat harvesting.

The prime minister said: “We want to create a balance between the prices of agricultural inputs and the produce.”

He said no new land reforms would be introduced so that growers could make the fullest use of their land.

He said a relief package had been introduced to help farmers pay their outstanding dues. The growers with dues up to Rs500,000 would have to pay only 50 per cent of the loan up to July 31, 2004, as the remaining amount had been written off. Five per cent of this amount would be payable up to July 31, 2003.

Similarly, those with outstanding dues above Rs500,000 would have to pay only 75 per cent of the amount up to July 31, 2004, and 10 per cent up to July 31, 2003.

Mr Jamali said he had asked the Punjab chief minister to ensure smooth procurement of wheat from growers.

He said he would hold a meeting with Wapda officials in Lahore on Thursday for a special power tariff package for the farmers community.

He said he would also hold a meeting with banks for providing tractors to farmers on lease.

He said the PPP (Patriots) had played a positive role in the restoration of democracy. “The alliance between PML-Q and the PPP (Patriots) will continue,” he said.

He said Pakistan was the only nuclear power in the Islamic world and it would continue to hold the same position.

He said efforts should be made to run the affairs of parliament in a smooth manner. He said the entire nation should work for the development and solidarity of the country.

Mr Jamali announced a Rs100 million development package for Deepalpur city. He also announced the provision of gas to Hujra Shah Muqeem.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Khalid Maqbool said the government had planned many projects for the betterment of the farming community.

“Remodelling of Bari Doab Canal will usher in a new era of prosperity in Okara and adjoining districts,” he said.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said the Punjab was likely to reap a record production of wheat this year. He said steps would be taken for the procurement of wheat.

He said 276 procurement centres had been set up across the province to facilitate the growers. There was a supervisory committee at every centre to ensure the purchase of wheat in a transparent manner.

He said the bill for the exemption of growers with a land holding of 12.5 acres from the agriculture tax would soon be tabled in the Punjab Assembly. He also talked about increase in the funds for the agricultural research and lining of water channels.

In the afternoon, the prime minister inaugurated the 11km-long Okara bypass at Kot Bari stop.

Speaking at a public gathering at Jinnah Park Chowk, the prime minister announced a special grant of Rs150 million for the city besides establishment of a tax-free zone in Okara.

He also sanctioned construction of an underpass for Renala Khurd Town.

Later, Zafarullah Jamali along with the governor and the chief minister visited the residence of District Police Officer Mohammed Aslam. He announced Rs2 billion for the Punjab police and Rs20 million for Okara police.