PM's relief package for farmers declared violation of ECP code of conduct

E-Paper | June 04, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday denounced the farmers' relief package announced by the prime minister as a violation of ECP code of conduct and barred the government from implementing it, DawnNews reported.

The decision was announced citing the reason that the relief offered through farmers' package was not part of the budget speech made by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

While giving an in-camera briefing to media, Secretary Election Commission Babar Yaqoob said that three pointers of the farmers' relief package came under criticism.

These three points listed here:

Rs5,000 per acre to the farmers to the extent of 12.5 acres.
2 per cent reduction in rate of interest for rice and cotton growers.
Rise from Rs2,000 to 4,000 in production index unit of agricultural land.

Editorial: Farmers’ package

Earlier, the ECP had asked the government officials to explain the announcement of farmers' relief package by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ahead of the upcoming local body polls in Sindh and Punjab.

The prime minister had announced a relief package of Rs341 billion on September 15 to revive the farm sector.

The package provides a direct benefit of Rs147bn to small farmers across the country whereas an additional loan of Rs194bn will be available to the agriculture sector.

The ECP code of conduct for LG polls in Sindh and Punjab categorically states that the political parties and candidates participating in the elections shall not offer or announce any financial help to any person or institution after the announcement of schedule for elections.

Major opposition parties had already rejected the package for farmers and termed it a ‘pack of lies’ and gimmickry of the PML-N government aimed at influencing coming LG elections.

Through the aforementioned package, the government had decided to provide a cash support of Rs5,000 with immediate effect to the growers of cotton and rice as a direct relief.

The amount was supposed to be disbursed among the farmers owning a maximum of 12.5 acres of land. It will cost the government Rs20bn.

The amount will be equally shared by the provincial government concerned.

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Rakaposhi

Sep 30, 2015 06:41pm

They have the habit of buying everything, this includes votes.

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responsible

Sep 30, 2015 06:43pm

Now SC will grant stay order.

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Sep 30, 2015 06:43pm

Suddenly ECP started working on its job, wow! I would say credit goes to PTI, who despite its weakness has contributed so much to Pakistan politics positively that I could see an example of it in the past!

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just_someone

Sep 30, 2015 06:45pm

Well done. Good to see ECP becoming a stronger institution... Love him or hate him, without IK, the process of ECP becoming stronger would never have even been started.

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Abu.Ashhad

Sep 30, 2015 06:52pm

they have brains and they will find another way!

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Cyrus

Sep 30, 2015 07:10pm

What rubbish. The people in Sindh don't want Sharif re-elected. Land reform is the only thing that will save Pakistan from a real civil war. Sharif's plan will make farmers far more productive and get rid of farm subsidies.

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Syed M. Nazim

Sep 30, 2015 07:16pm

Announcement of package to farmers will benefit PML(N) although it has been suspended by Election Commission. Farmers can hope to get relief at least next year.Farmers will vote for PML(N). Now it will be for other parties to announce still better package when they come in power.

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Shakil Ahmed Khan

Sep 30, 2015 07:20pm

in your face PML-N now craft another way to spend public funds and give handouts to buy votes! I will not be surprised if they still do it, who cares about ECP anyway!

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Larka

Sep 30, 2015 07:25pm

SC will give clean chit in next 20 days.

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Larka

Sep 30, 2015 07:27pm

It seems ECP is now in direct confrontation with ruling party, I think they dont want accusation of supporting ruling party from Imran khan but that does not mean ECP will give unjustified verdict like this.

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Anon

Sep 30, 2015 07:28pm

So PMLN allowed ECP to get this much, huh? I guess now the campaign will be.... see we had this package for you, but PTI stopped it!

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Anon

Sep 30, 2015 07:30pm

If there was any common sense, this package should not be delayed... it should be cancelled! If it wasnt in the budget, then it was clearly a gimmick for the elections and not a part of the economic plan. As it stands, the PMLN can still use it in the election campaign, as it has merely been delayed!

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Zeeshan

Sep 30, 2015 07:33pm

You can see the seriousness of the government while announcing such a huge package. No planning, no allotment in the annual budget, just came the idea to someone in the dream and was announced when got woke up.

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Naxalite

Sep 30, 2015 07:39pm

We wont be witnessing this Verdict has Khan not Accelerated the Pressure on ECP!

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Arslan

Sep 30, 2015 07:45pm

ECP is basically allowing this package AFTER the polls. So farmers will vote on the pretext of a promise. If this is not pre-poll rigging then what is. Now it has ECP's stamp on it as well. Well played PMLN.

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ishtiaq khan

Sep 30, 2015 07:53pm

whats the point now as PML has bought the votes already by announcing the package. but it is good in a way that they have to announce the packages if they have to win seat and stay in Govt. Good competition.

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Khalid Saeed

Sep 30, 2015 07:57pm

@Syed M. Nazim In between your lines you are suggesting that farmers in Pakistan are so stupid that they are not able to see the reasons of introduction of this package prior to local body election and they still will vote for SS.

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Khalid Saeed

Sep 30, 2015 07:58pm

@Cyrus WOW, civil war, do you understand the meaning of this term in real sense?

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Khalid Saeed

Sep 30, 2015 08:01pm

If I understand correctly the corrupt mind setup of the current regime, they will fool the farmers by saying that Nawaz and Shahbaz want to help you but it is election commission which is creating hurdles. Nawaz league has demonstrated in the past that they have money to buy the conscious of every Pakistani in order to stay in power.

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malick

Sep 30, 2015 08:02pm

My PM is not aware of ECP violation, great premier. Can ECP take this violation to SC?

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Bannananana

Sep 30, 2015 08:05pm

What a shame that the farmers relief package has become a victim of PTI politics. The farmers must now realize that PTI is the real enemy.

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MAlvi

Sep 30, 2015 08:13pm

There is so much corruption, selfishness, and dishonesty in Pakistan. No body seems to have any idea about doing some thing for the people, except Imran Khan. But the tragedy is that the people are also corrupt and selfish.

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M.Saeed

Sep 30, 2015 08:14pm

Highly selfish demand! If this Government for any reason, trying to do something for the benefit of the long neglected farmers, these goons want to to blockade their way for getting once in a lifetime benefit coming their way. Pathetic thinking as if they will get the government just because of this single reason.

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M.Saeed

Sep 30, 2015 08:25pm

@responsible : A courts of law is not a court of justice. It is supposed to have no eyes, ears and sentiments!

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Akib

Sep 30, 2015 08:28pm

Someone explain what the importance of 4 seats is in front of the plight of farmers. The government should stop working because idiots from PT I want to lose in by elections. First of all it benefits the entire nation not only the contesting constituencies. Second there aren't exactly a lot of farmers in central Punjab. PTI is a party that instead of accomplishing ANYTHING, is more concerned with preventing any sort of development from the party in power

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M. Mobeen

Sep 30, 2015 08:29pm

What about Subsidy on Fertilizers that was actually part of the budget? Will that be put on hold too?

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Behave

Sep 30, 2015 08:34pm

In civilised countries, the PM will resign for this kind of gimmick. Somebody should ask Mr. Ishaq Dar regarding 500MM euro bond, why on the earth it yeilds whooping 8.65% and who bought these bonds. We need to know the names of companies, thier directors. I am sure truth will reveal the that PMLN and their cronies will benefit from this issue of euro bond. Poor Pakistani children will pay 8.65% in future. SHAME!!!

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Sep 30, 2015 08:37pm

Absolutely, I don't think anyone had any doubts about the intent. It was clear prepoll rigging and nothing else. That is how PML-N plays with the minds of poor innocent people to buy their votes.

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Zeeshan

Sep 30, 2015 08:39pm

Majority of the farmers are the real enemies of this country. Due to their lack of political awareness they elect the same candidates for assemblies over and over irrespective of their performance. Those feudal lords keep them continously deprived and the cycle goes on.

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Sep 30, 2015 08:40pm

Now who is the sufferer. The one who was to be benefitted, in this case it was the farmer. ECP has rightly reacted but at the wrong time. Whatever one does something positive IK will open his big mouth and start babbling. It is his habit. One will note this fact in the next days. Let us see what does the Supreme Court says if and when an appeal is lodged by the government.

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PARDESI

Sep 30, 2015 08:46pm

The PM relief package related to farmers who mostly come under NA 154 and ECP is showing its teeth now when by- elections in that constituency are not to be conducted now due Supreme court issuing stay order.ECP is not so brave to confront Gov.Its an eye wash.

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Pakistan

Sep 30, 2015 09:10pm

@Shakil Ahmed Khan Sir, What public funds? The national treasury is empty. Whatever funds we have belongs to the IMF or the international donors. Or the government will simply resort to printing notes (quantitative easing as it is fashionably called in the WEST).

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Pakistani

Sep 30, 2015 09:12pm

So PML-N have got two excuses for not delivering anything. The "Dharna" and now the "ECP". Just see how deftly they will manipulate both to their advantage.

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Proud Pakistani

Sep 30, 2015 09:19pm

Actually imran was trying to use the farmer card against government in local government elections and was planning to take farmers rally on Oct 4 to Islamabad, but now its useless. So no problem after elections government will implement its plan yes people have come to know who is creating hindrance in their way just to get the power and to be PM - now the people will ruin imran's plans to be PM. But one thing is proved that PTI is really a party of toddlers and infants they will take time to grow up mentally.... a lot of time.

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Malik

Sep 30, 2015 09:20pm

I see win win situaiton for PML-N; now they have to delay the package and also this will create hate among farmers for opposition parties; so basically Nawaz will not pay to farmers and bag the votes also

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Shahid Khan

Sep 30, 2015 10:31pm

The credit goes to PTI only for their unflinching stance against corruption and foul play.

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naji

Sep 30, 2015 10:48pm

How long these law less government will suck Pakistani blood? Who will rescue Pakistani people from these Monsters, PML-N and PPP?

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Shahid Khan

Sep 30, 2015 10:53pm

@Akib no offence but do you know, what is economics.. no. Where will the money come from when there is no provision in the announced budget for year 2015-16. Plz stop bashing PTI unnecessarly, have a rational mind and think wise.

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Raza

Sep 30, 2015 10:54pm

Poor Farmers were hoping that they will sow wheat with the financial incentive given but ECP couldn't bear it and financial relief that was given to farmers of 12.5 acres is denied

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Junaid Habib

Sep 30, 2015 11:04pm

The image is worthless. Without being offensive to the gentleman in the picture, the crutch that he is using is needed more by the crippled institution that I call ECP. We as a nation have sold out souls for a fraction of the price that we pay every time we elect these goons in the government. So true that you reap what you sow. God bless Pakistan as I have lost all hope, just like most other Pakistanis.

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malick

Sep 30, 2015 11:43pm

@Bannananana ....Farmers are not those farmers of 1947. Farmers knows how they were ignored by NS for past 30 months and past 30 years. It is not PTI but 21 political parties rejected the kisan package as kisan were bluffed for vote corruption and terrorism. Thora sa bannana kha lain to increase wisdom. Try to avoid misleading the nation please.

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MAQ

Oct 01, 2015 12:16am

Even if it was approved do you think our Govt officials and Politicians will hand over the money instead it will end up in all politicians pockets.

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Sleepless in Sahiwal

Oct 01, 2015 01:53am

@AH Nope.. #ThankyouRaheelSharif

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Gullu Badsha

Oct 01, 2015 02:29am

Now PML (N) will go to the Supreme Court and get a stay order. or The supreme court will take a suo moto notice to declare this action by ECP null & void.

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Pakistani

Oct 01, 2015 03:10am

SC should save PML(N).

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JHK

Oct 01, 2015 06:51am

Actually it goes in favor of pmln. Voters know the package and will vote in the hope. However pmln got an excuse now , not to give the package even after the elections. Vow. In my view pmln looks good and pti bad for the voters.

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