Despite general elections are coming close, major political parties have not incorporated farmers' due rights in their fresh manifestos as majority of their leaders are landlords and remain in assemblies.
This was informed at a seminar organised by Sindh Agriculture and Forestry Workers Co-ordinating Organisation (SAFWCO) in collaboration with Oxfam GB and Grow Campaign at Hyderabad Press Club to mark the International Day for Peasants Struggle being observed in Pakistan like other parts of the world today.
Speaking at a seminar, Suleman G Abro, SAFWCO President said that it was British government which sold lands to feudal lords in region so as to strengthen its power. He said that farmers' movement should join world struggles to get their due rights, otherwise rights could not be achieved. Abro said that Sufi Shah Inayat fought for farmers' rights and even sacrificed his life for their cause in Mughal Rule in Sindh. He said that land reforms brought by former Pakistan President Ayub Khan and ex-prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto were useless, because former dictator Zia-ul-Haq get them declared as against Shariat. Hence, there is need to bring new land reforms besides boosting agriculture sector.
He said that in 2001, former president Pervez Musharraf allowed corporate farming in the country which is very harmful for farmers. He said that passage of Tenancy Amendment Act Bill is not in favour of farmers because amendment in it would provide benefit to landlords only.
We should rewrite draft of this Act again and present it in assembly for legislation. Waheed Jamali, SAFWCO representative, said that 75 billion tons of fertile land disappear in world each year, while 70 to 80 percent land is deforested during this time, which is the matter of great concern. He said that farmers are being deprived of their rights in the country. Corporate pressure is harming farmers' community in Sindh because the governments are bent upon commercialising nature and lands of farmers. He said that sell of Dingi and Bhandar islands in Karachi is the result of corporate pressure which needs to be ended with immediate effect.
He paid rich tribute to farmers community leaders who rendered sacrifices for rights of farmers. Jamali called for joint efforts to get rights of farmers and bring fresh land reforms in the country. Punhal Sario, Chairman Sindh Hari Porhiat Council, said that country needs drastic agriculture reforms under which farmers should be given their rights snatched by landlords. He said that Hyder Bux Jatoi who was the chief of Hari Committee in the past strongly fought for the rights of farmers, so we should also continue struggle like him. He said that feudal system is still available in Sindh and nefarious acts are being continued to strengthen it.
He said that under Tenancy Act, only Rs 500 fine could be imposed against any landlord for beating and committing any other atrocities on him, which is great injustice. Noted social leader Jam Saki said that there was no feudal system before British Rule. The British rulers distributed land among traitors of this land in a bid to strengthen rule.
Nasir Aziz, Actionaid leader, said that it is fact that all farmers' movement took birth from Sindh, which is a great omen. He said that we should struggle for rights of farmers. "Women should also be provided ownership rights on land," he urged. The government should distribute land among women farmers. Jami Chandio, Executive Director CPCS, said that political parties have not incorporated farmers' rights in their manifestos and they were mere eyewash.
He lauded the farmers' struggle for their rights and paid rich tribute to Sufi Shah Inayat for sacrificing his life while struggling for the rights of peasants. He said that 62 percent farmers in Sindh are landless, while there are few which posses less than five acres of land. The women don't have right on lands which is matter of great concern. Taj Marri, Co-ordinator Bhandar Sangat lashed out at government for passing Sindh Tenancy Act (Amendment) Bill without incorporating proposals of farmers.