The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday ordered the federal government to halt the Rs. 341 bn farmer’s package announced by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier in September.
The commission, which had previously raised questions regarding the timing of the packages’ unveiling, ordered that the package be halted until the local government elections due in October were completed, and for proceedings to stay halted till December 3. An ECP spokesperson had also previously stated that public officeholders, including the premier, were barred from announcing schemes after the declaration of an election schedule under the code of conduct. This announcement, the propagation in the media of which was heavily criticised, could potentially influence voters, said the spokesperson.
This order targeted in particular 3 areas of the package including a 2 % subsidy to producers of specific staples and reduction in interest rates on loans that was announced in the Prime Minister’s scheme. In addition, the ECP has called for the issuance of 5000 PKR to farmers who owned less than 12.5 acres on each acre of land owned to be halted as well.
The Kisan Package was announced in at the Jinnah Convention Centre in mid-September by the Premier who said it was aimed to introduce progressive agriculture along scientific lines, reduce costs of production and to make small-scale farmers prosperous. It was severely criticised by members of the opposition and its propagation in the media was described as a violation of the ECP’s code of conduct.
