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TOBA TEK SINGH, Jan 11: The Pakistan Kisaan Committee (PKC) convention has urged the government not to abide by the WTO agreements as this will debilitate the agriculture sector which is already in crisis.
The convention was held on Tuesday at Khikha Chowk, some 20km away from here, with PKC President Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad in the chair. The convention passed a resolution saying that the agri sector was incapable of competing the products of developed countries in international market.
It added that America and European countries were paying at least US$3.5 billion per annum to their farmers while the Pakistan government had recently withdrawn subsidy on agri inputs on the direction of international donor agencies.
Addressing the convention, former PPP MPA Mian Muhammad Rafiq said the government had no right to impose flat water rate as farmers of areas hit by water shortage were not liable to pay abiana.
WATER THEFT: Punjab Forest Minister Dr Ashfaqur Rehman has urged farmers to point out the irrigation water thieves to the department officials so that action could be taken against them.
Addressing farmers on the occasion of inauguration of desilting campaign at Seowal minor canal on Tuesday, he said after canals brick-lining, the problem of water shortage would be resolved forever.
Faisalabad Irrigation West Circle SE Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain claimed that cases had been registered all over the district against influential landlords for their involvement in water theft.
