The one-day "Zamindar, Kissan, Hari Conference" here on Sunday demanded an agriculture package for Balochistan, as the federal government's Balochistan package does not contain anything for the agriculturists of the country's biggest area-wise province.
The conference further demanded of the government to fulfil its promise to write off the agri-loans of Balochistan and provide electricity by installing at least three rental power plants.
The conference was attended by President Pakistan Muttahida Kissan Mahaz, Ayub Khan Mayo, Vice president Sindh Abadgar Board Major Omar Farooque (Retd), President MKM Punjab Morad Khan Baloch, Secretary General MKM Balochistan , Aziz Ahmad Baloch, representative Balochistan Zamindar Action Committee Malik Muhammad Qasim Bangalzai, Vice President Pakistan Kissan Ittehad Mian Aslam Dhareeja, President Pakistan Kissan Council Ali Bahadar Khitchi and others.
The conference demanded that water supply to Multan, Bahawalpur and D.G. Khan divisions be ensured for sowing of Rabi crops and Irsa should not create hurdles in the regular supply of water to all regions of the country.
The conference asked the government to take disciplinary action against the officials of Pakistan Agriculture Storage and Supplies Corporation (Passco), who had made the farmers to suffer loss of billion of rupees by delaying purchase of paddy at the government's support price.
The conference also demanded of the government to direct the sugar mills to purchase sugarcane from the farmers, as the mills had delayed the crushing season by a month and harmed the interests of the small growers who could not sell their produce at the right time.
The conference further demanded the sunflower purchase price of Rs 2000 per maund for the next season. "The government should examine the causes of 50 percent reduction in the area of the sunflower cultivation and punish the officials responsible for reduction of sunflower production," it demanded.
The conference suggested that the government should not increase electricity tariff under pressure of the International Monetary Fund and revert to August 2008 electricity rates so that the poor people do not start a civil disobedience.
The conference asked the government to build dams downstream Taunsa and Panjnad barrages on river Indus to store irrigation water for releases during lean period in south Punjab and Sindh canals.
The small farmers conference bitterly criticised the Federal government for not forcefully taking up the serious water issue with the India that is constantly stealing water from Pakistan's three rivers Chenab, Jhelum and Indus by building dozens of hydal power projects in the occupied Kashmir and Siachen area.
They threatened to start 'Jehad' against India if it does not stop theft of Pakistan's share of water under the 1960 Indus Basin Water Treaty as livelihood of 80 percent of its population depends on uninterrupted and sufficient supply of irrigation and drinking water to the country. They said that the farmers of Pakistan would observe 28th December as a protest day against India and invite parliamentarians, political parties and non-governmental organisations to participate in the countrywide protests.
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