LAHORE: Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz says that those who tried to create fissures between the farmers and the government have failed miserably.

“The farmers did not pay heed to the baseless propaganda and cultivated wheat on my appeal. I assured them to grow wheat without fear and the government would not allow any losses to them,” she said while addressing a ceremony at Kalashah Kaku Rice Research Institute on Thursday.

The chief minister added that the government had announced granting loans through Kissan Card from Rs150,000 to Rs300,000 as well as a subsidy up to 95pc on solarization of agricultural tube wells. An SMS and helpline system for farmers who had no Kissan Card would also be launched while green tractors on subsidy to 20,000 farmers next year along with the establishment of rental agriculture machinery centres in every tehsil would also be ensured.

Maryam Nawaz said that instead of giving support price of wheat, direct subsidy was being given to the farmers.

“I want to put all the resources at the disposal of our farmers but some tough decisions need to be made to create a balance in the economy. A support price worth Rs5,000 per acre is being given to the wheat farmers. The government is striving to the utmost to reduce the cost of seed, pesticides, electricity bills of tube wells and diesel.”

The CM said that politics of hatred had caused great damage to Pakistan and after this hatred Pakistan had started treading on the path of progress and prosperity once again.

Blaming the previous government, she said owing to its poor performance and incompetence, electricity bills had increased sharply.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working hard to bring down electricity rates. Due to reduction in electricity rates, electricity bills will also come down,” she claimed.

Talking about conflict with India, Ms Maryam said it was not a war of borders but a war of ideology and sentiments.

“After the victory in the war, Pakistan is being recognised as a strong and powerful country across the globe,” she added.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2025