Govt assures Kissan Ittehad that all of their justified demands would be addressed urgently
To stop entry of growers in the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protest campaign, the government on Friday gave a considerate hearing to the demands of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) with the assurance that measures would be taken to address their reservations.
An official source said that the National Food Security Minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan was tasked to bring the PKI on the government’s side. The PTI was attempting to bring the PKI in their protest.
Bosan played an important role in addressing the reservations of PKI and final matters were discussed in a meeting with the finance minister and secretary to the prime minister.
The government team assured them that all of their justified demands would be addressed on an urgent basis. They were assured that measures would be taken to protect growers’ interests in case of falling commodity prices through government intervention, the source added.
According to a statement of the Finance Ministry, a delegation of PKI led by Khalid Mahmood Khokhar called on the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. National Food Security minister Sikandar Hayat Bosan and Secretary to the Prime Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad was also present on the occasion.
The minister welcomed the delegation of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad and said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif kept the agriculture community close to his heart. He said that the incumbent government had taken historical steps in agriculture sector, including prime minister’s Kissan Package-2015 and unprecedented measures during the national budget this year.
Pakistan Kissan Ittehad chairman appreciated the commitment of the government and the steps taken so far for the agriculture sector. He highlighted the challenges faced by the agriculture sector and sought the support of the federal government for protecting the interests of the farming community.
The minister assured the delegation that the government was cognizant of difficulties of the agricultural sector in the context of a decrease in global commodity prices. He stressed upon the delegation for enhancing crop yield and farm productivity through mechanisation and adoption of best practices.
The minister invited the delegation to engage in a sustained policy dialogue with the government for designing future interventions in the agriculture sector. He said that the government is determined to create a supportive environment for farmers.
The minister assured the delegation that further improvement in research and development for enhancing agriculture output in the country was being undertaken. He appreciated the valuable role played by the minister for National Food Security on facilitating the farming community.
National Food Security secretary, Industries secretary and senior officials of the finance ministry attended the meeting.