Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) has announced to march from Multan to Lahore on 10th March to voice their concerns and protest regarding the wheat issue. During a press conference held in Multan on Sunday, Chairman Khalid Khokhar stated that thousands of peasants would participate in the march, accompanied by their families, tractor trollies, and animals. He emphasized that the protest would persist until an agriculture emergency is declared in the province.
Khalid Khokhar outlined key demands for the agriculture emergency, including the immediate start of wheat purchases, reduced electricity tariffs, and a decrease in Urea fertilizer prices. Regarding the recent wheat crisis, he alleged corrupt practices in the decision to import wheat when there was already a surplus in the country, calling for punishment for those involved in the scandal.
Expressing the severe strain on farmers due to the lack of wheat purchases, Khalid Khokhar highlighted the implications for sowing subsequent crops like cotton and rice, which could impact Pakistan’s annual exports, currently valued at $22 billion in agriculture products. He lamented the historical neglect of the agriculture sector, pointing out that despite its critical role in ensuring food security, only 0.8 percent of the total GDP is allocated to it.
Khalid Khokhar underscored the need for broader societal support, urging civil society, lawyers, students, journalists, and others to join the farmers’ protest.
