Pakistan faces threat of food insecurity if farmers' concerns not addressed: Imran

Published June 13, 2022
PTI Chairman Imran Khan addresses a farmers' convention in Islamabad on Monday. — DawnNewsTV
PTI Chairman Imran Khan addresses a farmers' convention in Islamabad on Monday. — DawnNewsTV

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Monday warned that Pakistan could face the threat of food insecurity if the concerns of farmers and the agriculture sector were not addressed.

Speaking at a farmers' convention in Islamabad, he said: "There is a danger to all of us. If special attention is not paid to farmers' conditions then Pakistan could face problems of food security in the future."

The former prime minister said that food security was linked to the country's security itself. He also said that the issue was not limited to Pakistan but a matter of global concern as the Russia-Ukraine war had impacted wheat supply and prices.

Read more: Be ready for severe food crisis, Zelensky warns world

"People are afraid that there will be famines due to how wheat supply has been affected from that war."

However, he said, Pakistan was "fortunate" since it had the natural resources, conditions and opportunities to become a country that could substantially increase its wealth on the basis of agriculture alone.

Highlighting the problems faced by farmers, he said the cost of their inputs was increasing due to recent fuel and power price increases.

The PTI chairman talked about his government's performance in the agriculture sector and said its main focus was to help farmers, recalling that it was part of the PTI's manifesto.

He said the country couldn't develop until the government paid attention to agriculture, adding that Pakistan was reliant on the agricultural sector until the industrial sector was more strongly established.

Elaborating on his government's measures, such as subsidies, to support farmers, Imran talked about the high yields for different crops during his tenure.

Turning his aim at the current government, he said its economic performance so far had increased inflation.

He alleged that the PML-N-led government's purpose was not to serve the people but to take care of its leaders' interests and to follow the commands of the United States.

Imran alleged that the various parties in the government wanted to close corruption cases against their members, weaken institutions like the National Accountability Bureau and the Federal Investigation Agency and rig the next general elections in collusion with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

"We know where the election commissioner goes every weekend. He takes orders from [Punjab Chief Minister] Hamza [Shehbaz] and [PML-N Vice President] Maryam [Nawaz] and delimitations are being done so that the PML-N wins."

The PTI chairman called on the people to struggle against the government and participate in a movement for "real freedom", adding that Pakistan couldn't move forward while the incumbent government remained in power.

Opinion

Editorial

Massacre again
Updated 01 Oct, 2023

Massacre again

If this monster is not vanquished at this stage, it will create a security nightmare of significant proportions.
A refuge no longer
01 Oct, 2023

A refuge no longer

SEPTEMBER has seen an alarming rise in the rounding up and detention of Afghan refugees. Pakistani authorities cite...
Whither justice?
01 Oct, 2023

Whither justice?

THE challenge is to ensure bestial tragedies are remembered. Two cases of femicide, involving men from Pakistan’s...
Moving forward
Updated 29 Sep, 2023

Moving forward

It is hoped that the ECP followed the set rules diligently while demarcating constituency boundaries.
Pipeline in stasis
Updated 30 Sep, 2023

Pipeline in stasis

If finding dollars to fund the scheme is difficult, alternative currencies can be used.
Playing in India
Updated 29 Sep, 2023

Playing in India

WITH visa issues resolved, and after slight alterations in travel plans, Pakistan’s cricket team finally touched...