ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain has written to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, urging her to declare Narang Mandi and surrounding villages in tehsil Muridke, Sheikhupura district, as disaster-stricken areas due to severe damage to wheat crops caused by recent heavy rains and hailstorms.

In his letter, Mr Hussain highlighted the plight of wheat farmers, stating that extreme weather conditions had devastated crops, pushing farmers into a deep financial crisis.

He noted that these farmers were already struggling due to last year’s low returns on wheat, and this natural calamity had further worsened their economic situation.

Heavy hailstorms covered roads and fields with a white blanket, and a large number of cattle were reportedly killed, shattering farmers’ hopes for a bumper crop this year.

The minister strongly recommended officially declaring Narang Mandi and its adjacent villages disaster-stricken so that immediate relief measures could be taken to support affected farmers.

He stressed the need for government intervention to protect farmers from financial collapse and ensure food security in the region.

He said that the ministry remains fully committed to supporting farmers and ensuring timely interventions to mitigate agricultural losses caused by natural disasters.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2025