OKARA, May 3: Farmers Associates Pakistan chairman and MNA Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said due to wrong policies of the government a few groups have monopolised all sectors of the country’s economy including agriculture, which would ultimately increase poverty.

He was speaking at a convention of growers from Okara district held under the FAP, organised by Dr Syed Afzal Ali Shah, Mian Muhammad Siddiq and Chaudhry Muhammad Maqsood.

Qureshi said due to the unrealistic policies of the government, 70 per cent population of the country, related directly or indirectly with the agriculture, was badly suffering. He said the basic problem of the country was economic and not political in nature.

He said it was unfortunate that farmers had no say in the policy-making. The agriculture sector was being neglected despite contributing a major share of production, being a source of foreign exchange and providing employment to the largest segment of population in the private sector.

He said under the WTO regime, local agriculturists would have to face many challenges from heavily subsidised competitors from Europe and the US.

He criticised the government for withdrawing the probe against sugar mafia.

FAP vice-chairman and provincial minister Hussain Jehania Gardezi said the government was fully aware of the problems being faced by agriculturists and better policies were being formulated for them.