PKI to protest against govt policies on 18th

Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) on Wednesday announced the end of its "love marriage" with PTI government, and threatened to put up their children for sale during the protest in federal capital on December 18, 2019 (next Wednesday).

This was announced by Central President Khalid Mehmood Khokar in a video message and while talking to Business Recorder.

"I am addressing Prime Minister Imran Khan and saying that we had a love marriage but now we want a divorce," he said adding that farmers have decided to bring their children to Islamabad and put them up for sale.

Khokhar argued that cost of production has increased by 70-80 percent but the rate of produce has not kept pace. The rate of sugarcane has hardly been increased by Rs10 to Rs190 from Rs180 per 40 kg but the price of sugar has increased by 100 percent which implies that the sugar mafia has been allowed to benefit.

He said a group has encircled the Prime Minister due to which on-ground situation is not being brought to his notice.

Talking about cotton, Khalid Khokhar said that the country has failed to achieve cotton target and new estimates indicate that production will be only 8 million bales against the target of 15 million bales. The loss of 7 million bales translates into $7 billion to the state. The poor women, who pick cotton, will get Rs40 billion less.

"The production of all crops is declining due to increase in cost of production as poor farmers cannot use the required fertilizers," he added.

The price of urea which was Rs1300 in the past has reached Rs2040 per bag and DAP is now selling at Rs3700 per bag from Rs2300 per bag before. The rate of electricity for agriculture has increased from Rs5.35 per unit to Rs15 or above.

"We have sold our animals and ornaments and now we have children which we will offer for sale in Islamabad on December 18, 2019. He said adding please accept us as Pakistanis as well and allow not only businessmen or industrialists to have their say in your government," he continued.

Khokhar maintained that subsidy of Rs6.60 per kg has been given to the sugar mill owners but nothing to the farmers.

He said small farmers are being treated unjustly. Prior to coming into power Prime Minister Khan had announced to help small farmers but instead they have been crushed.

Khalid Khokhar said that all farmers are suffering adding that previous planned protest was shelved on the assurance of Ministers that the issues of farmers will be resolved but the outcome of all meetings including with Jahangir Tareen and Speaker National Assembly has been zero. He questioned where decisions are being taken in the PTI government.