LAHORE: Farmers have announced a countrywide protest on May 21 and a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly the same day in Lahore against the wheat crisis ‘deliberately’ created by the former caretaker prime minister and some bureaucrats.

A meeting of 15 farmer organisations from across Pakistan was held here on Thursday and discussed the ongoing wheat crisis that had jolted the entire farming community, particularly in Punjab.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting attended by farmers from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee general secretary Farooq Tariq demanded immediate arrest of former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, bureaucrats, and importers involved in the wheat scam.

He also demanded compensation for the damage done to the growers and immediate action against those who imported the unwholesome wheat.

Kissan panel demands arrest of ex-caretaker PM, bureaucrats, wheat importers

He regretted that Rs330 billion were wasted by importing 3.4 million tonnes of grain from August 2023 to March 2024 and of them 1.3mt was infested with insects.

“All those involved in the wheat import scandal should be arrested at once and tried in NAB courts and the policy of authorising the private sector to import grain should be abolished,” demanded Malik Zulfiqar Awan, president of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad.

He lamented that the wheat was imported though everyone knew that the crop had already been planted at more acres than in the past in the country this season.

The farmer bodies demanded establishment of laboratories at tehsil level to eliminate fake fertilisers and pesticides, and strict action against those who charge unbearable interest on loans to small farmers.

They sought minimum support prices for wheat and other crops and regulated grain markets to ensure that farmers get fair prices for their produce. They said the government must buy wheat from farmers each year and ensure fair distribution of gunny bags to small landholders and peasants.

They warned of protests across the country on May 21 and further intensifying their agitation until their demands are met. They pledged to no longer tolerate further exploitation and raise the issue at international level.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024