OKARA: Farmer organisations’ representatives have rejected government’s decision to allow duty-free import of potatoes from India and warned of a protest procession on May 5 if the decision is not withdrawn.

The representatives of the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI), Farmers’ Associates Pakistan, Potato Growers Society, Cold Storage Association and the Fruit and Vegetable Market Association held a press conference here on Thursday.

PKI Central President Khalid Khokhar said that on May 5, they would block GT Road and railway line in Okara against the anti-farmer decision.

The government has decided to import the commodity viewing its high prices in the market. The vegetable is being sold for Rs60 to 65 per kilo by retailers. As Okara district is the hub of potato and maize production, organisations have decided to launch their protest movement from Okara.

Khokhar called the decision by commerce and national food security ministries as anti-economy.

ACCIDENT: A motorcyclist died while his wife and son suffered injuries on Thursday when a car hit them near Chak 16/1AL on GT Road, police said.

The victims were identified as Latif, his wife Nasim Bibi and son Husnain, from Lahore. Police are looking were into the case.

CASE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) registered a case against Public Health Department Executive Engineer Waseem Bajwa for not providing official record to ACE circle in charge Abdul Ghaffar Khan.

The case was registered under Section 409 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 5-2-47 of the ACE Act.