LAHORE: Farmers ended their protest here on Thursday after a delegation of the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad was assured by Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar that their “genuine issues” will be resolved.

According to a handout, the PKI announced end to the agitation after its delegation called on the chief minister. During the meeting, Mr Buzdar said the farmers were like his brothers and it was his responsibility to protect their rights.

He assured the growers of resolution of their genuine problems, adding they would be given full reward of their hard work and their rights would not be violated.

The handout said mill owners had also assured the government that they would make their units functional from today (Friday).

PKI chairman Chaudhry Anwar said the farmers were winding up their agitation on CM’s assurance that their genuine demands would be met. He said the Ittehad had supported the PTI during elections and was also with the party government.

He said it was decided that legal process would be adopted for withdrawing cases against farmers and steps proposed for bringing down fertilisers prices.

The additional chief secretary (energy) would get resolved the issues pertaining to tube well bills, the meeting decided.

Farmers had been continuing their protest for the second consecutive day at Thokar Niaz Beg to get restored old prices of fertilisers and immediate beginning of crushing season.

They had assembled at the city’s entrance point under the banner of the PKI, that has also get registered itself as a political party, headed by Chaudhry Anwar, with the Election Commission.

The protesters had blocked the road for traffic, causing inconvenience to commuters.

Meanwhile, Khalid Khokhar group of the PKI also called on the chief minister. During the meeting, various proposals regarding increasing the agricultural productivity and solution to farmers problems came under discussion.

On the occasion, the chief minister said farmers would be given their due rights and no injustice would be allowed against them.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2018