QUETTA, Feb 14: The National Party leaders have announced to launch a protest movement against government and Qesco if the demands of the agriculturists were not met. They also urged an end to the loadshedding in Kalat and Khuzdar districts which is affecting the onion crops.

Speaking at a joint press conference on Friday in Mastung ex-senator Tahir Bizenjo, Dr Ishaq Baloch and Mir Khalid Langoo said due to drought from 2001 to 2003 in the vast areas of the province the outstanding dues of electricity against growers should be remitted.

They alleged that Qesco observed eight hour daily loadshedding which was a curse for the farmers, and maintained that 80 per cent population of Balochistan was dependent on agriculture but without proper supply of power to the tubewells the growers were confronted with serious situation.

The leaders of the National Party strongly backed the demands of the Zamindar Federation that in view of the government decision declaring 90 per cent districts as drought hit area the Qesco authorities should not only remit the arrears against growers, but electricity bills should be recovered on the flat-rate basis.

They expressed solidarity with the farmers who were facing numerous problems but the government was uninterested to take steps for the resolution of their problems.

They declared that if the government or Qesco authorities remained lukewarm over the demands presented by the Zamindar Federation the party in collaboration with farmers' organization would hold protest meetings and also block the national highways.