Farmers Announce Million March on Islamabad Against Punjab’s ‘Flawed’ Agriculture Policies

ISLAMABAD: Kisan Ittehad has announced a million march on Islamabad on September 25 to protest what its leaders described as “flawed” agricultural policies of the Punjab government.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, Kisan Ittehad leaders said the Punjab government’s policies had pushed the agriculture sector towards a crisis, claiming that the province was now facing a wheat shortage even to meet its own requirements.

The leaders said they would not return without the resignation of the Punjab chief minister. They said farmers from across the country would participate in the march and, if prevented from travelling to Islamabad, would reach the capital on foot.

They clarified that blocking roads was not their objective but said farmers would take all possible measures to secure their rights.

The farmers said Pakistan could reduce its dependence on imports and increase exports by increasing agricultural production. They highlighted the potential of olive, cotton, rice, wheat, vegetable and fruit production to improve Pakistan’s position in international markets.

They demanded that the protection of agricultural land, water resources and farmers be made a national priority. They also called for the withdrawal of cases and FIRs registered against farmers and said farmers should not be held responsible for the failure of government policies.

Kisan Ittehad Chairman Khalid Hussain Baath warned that if farmers were forced to abandon cultivation, Pakistan could face a major food crisis. Central President Umair Masood and other leaders also attended the press conference.

The farmers said the proposed march was aimed at securing solutions to their economic problems, particularly the losses suffered by wheat growers over the past two years.

According to the farmers, wheat growers suffered billions of rupees in losses during the first year, while the government allegedly understated the scale of those losses. They said farmers were subsequently assured that the government would purchase their wheat the following year, but the promised procurement did not materialise, while the private sector also failed to enter the market effectively.

They claimed that continued losses had led farmers to reduce wheat cultivation by 30% to 40%, contributing to a wheat shortage in Punjab, traditionally regarded as Pakistan’s food basket.

The farmers alleged that while the government was discussing deregulation of the wheat market, authorities were also conducting raids at farmers’ homes to seize wheat and imposing restrictions on its transportation to other provinces.

Kisan Ittehad President Umair Masood said agriculture was fundamental to Pakistan’s economy but farmers were receiving neither effective subsidies from the federal government nor adequate relief from the Punjab government.

The farmers urged the authorities to address their concerns and introduce policies aimed at protecting agricultural production and ensuring the economic sustainability of the farming community.