OKARA: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Senator Sirajul Haq has called upon the government to withdraw general sales tax on all kinds of agri inputs so that farmers are able to meet expenditures.

He was addressing a public gathering at Deepalpur Chowk here while leading a Kissan Long March from Sahiwal to Islamabad on Thursday.

The march was organised by the Kissan Raj Tehrik (KRT) under the Pakistan Kissan Board (PKB). KRT President Arslan Khan Khakwani and PKB President Sadiq Khan Khakwani were also present.

Sirajul Haq also demanded of the government to provide interest-free loans to farmers and fix flat rates for tubewells.

He urged the government to ensure clearance of dues of framers by sugar mills till Oct 30 as the new crushing season would start from Nov 1.

He asked the government to fix rate of basmati paddy at Rs4,000 per 40kg, sugarcane at Rs250 per 40kg, maize at Rs1,200 per 40kg and potato at Rs1,800 per 40kg.

Later talking to the media persons, Mr Haq said the KP government did not consult with the JI about taking back Aftab Ahmad Sherpao’s Qaumi Watan Party in the government.

He said that complaints were being received against the government for interfering in the local body elections in provinces, particularly in Sindh, where the poor candidates were being harassed.

The central JI emir announced his support in favour of Chaudhry Riazul Haq Juj, an independent candidate contesting by-polls in NA-144 (Okara-2).

Earlier, district’s JI emir Dr Liaquat Ali and deputy secretary-general Sheikh Farooq also addressed.

SAHIWAL: The Kissan Raj Rally led by Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq reached Jogi Chowk here from Harrapa on Thursday afternoon.

Addressing a huge gathering, Sirajul Haq demanded of the government to provide subsidy to farmers and address their other grievances as well.

He asked the government to provide farmers the same rights and facilities as were available to farmers in India.

“I am demanding the rights of poor farmers living in huts from elites living lavishly in Islamabad. The ruling elites are plundering the public wealth and have almost turned the country into bankruptcy,” he said.

He criticized the policies of banks which provided loans to big landlords but offered nothing to farmers having less than five acres of land.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2015

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