SAHIWAL: The Punjab government must enforce and implement wheat support price at Rs3,900 in the open market, amidst reports of certain entities purchasing wheat at significantly lower prices ranging from Rs2,800 to Rs3,000.

Protesters also demanded immediate release of those who were detained by the police in various cities of Punjab, including Lahore.

The protesters gathered separately at Ghani Chowk, Chichawatni, and Pakpattan Chowk, Sahiwal, for pressing of their demands.

Addressing the protest rallies, district and divisional office bearers of the Kisan Board, affiliated with Jammat-i-Islami, voiced concerns over the Food Department’s delay in commencing wheat procurement in Sahiwal division.

Despite the distribution of gunny bags to farmers, the government has yet to outline a procurement target and start buying wheat. Heavy police contingents were deputed in and around the protest site.

Kisan Board Chairman Tayyab Baloch questioned the rationale behind the government decision to import 3.2 million tonnes of wheat at Rs5,500 per 40kg despite a reported surplus of 4.2 million tonnes domestically.

He criticised governmental priorities, alleging a bias towards protecting wheat mafias over safeguarding farmer interests. Adding to the farmers’ woes, the anticipation of continued rainfall and cold weather threatens to further depress wheat prices in the open market.

BAHAWALPUR: The Kissan Board Pakistan, in coordination with the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), staged a sit-in at the University Chowk against the government wheat procurement policy.

The protesters raised slogans against the government for its failure to pay farmers for their produce.

KBP chief Jam Hazoor Bakhsh and JI south Punjab naib emir Zeeshan Akhtar and others criticised the government for its flawed wheat policy and demanded that the procurement campaign be launched in Bahawalpur and other parts of the province.

TOBA TEK SINGH: Scores of farmers staged a protest demonstration and a sit-in outside the DC Complex in Faisalabad.

KBP President Sardar Zafar Hussain condemned the government for failing to purchase the wheat from the growers at a fixed price.

Another protest demonstration was held at Tehsil Chowk at Shorkot in district Jhang where KBP tehsil president Abdul Rauf demanded the government start wheat procurement at a rate of Rs5,000 per 40kg.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2024