Immediate Steps Needed to Save Agriculture from Destruction; September 15 Ultimatum for Implementation of 6-Point Charter of Demand: Zamindar Action Committee Balochistan

Quetta (Daily Qudrat Quetta), September 10: The Zamindar Action Committee Balochistan has presented a 6-point Charter of Demand, including stopping the illegal import and smuggling of agricultural commodities in the province, ending fertilizer shortage and artificial price hike, payment of compensation to farmers affected by rains, hailstorms and floods from 2022 to 2026, construction of new dams, and relief in agricultural taxes, and warned that if the problems faced by the agriculture sector are not resolved, their effects will not remain limited to farmers alone but will also affect laborers, transporters, commission agents, shopkeepers, industry, and not only the overall economic system of the province but will also increase unemployment. Assembly members who remain silent on electricity and agricultural taxes have no right to speak now. The ultimatum for implementation of the Charter of Demand is September 15.

This was announced at a meeting of farmers and a press conference held in Qila Saifullah under the chairmanship of Zamindar Action Committee Chairman Malik Naseer Ahmed Shahwani. On this occasion, General Secretary Zamindar Action Committee Balochistan Haji Abdul Rehman Buzai, Syed Abdul Qahar Agha, Haji Noor Ahmed Baloch, Kazim Khan Achakzai, Haji Sher Ali Mushwani, Abdullah Jan Mirzai, Haji Muhammad Afzal Baloch, Haji Muhammad Hayat Lehri, Syed Siddiqullah Agha, Eid Muhammad Advocate, Abdul Ghaffar Kakar, Meraj Mandokhail, Abdul Qudoos Achakzai, Khaliq Dad Malkiar, Fazal Rehman Baloch, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Abdul Qayyum Mirzai, Sarwar Jan, Haji Sadiq Jogezai, Vice Chairman Qila Saifullah Vegetable Market Dad Khan Khan, Zia Musa Zai, Green Pakistan Chairman Amin Sahibzada, Malik Rashid, Malik Khudaidad and others were also present.

Addressing the participants, the speakers said that agriculture is the backbone of Balochistan’s economy, and about 80 percent of the province’s population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture and related businesses. However, for the past several years, the agricultural sector has not received government attention as required, due to which the province’s farmers are facing severe economic difficulties.

The committee demanded that the illegal arrival and smuggling of tomatoes, apples, grapes, onions, and other agricultural commodities from neighboring countries during the arrival of local crops, vegetables, and fruits in the market be stopped immediately, effective monitoring be carried out at all check posts and entry routes, and priority be given to local farmers’ produce in the market.

They said that the arrival of illegal agricultural commodities makes it difficult for local farmers to sell their crops at reasonable prices, so strict action should be taken against illegal trade and smuggling, as this matter is not only of farmers but also of the provincial economy and government treasury.

The Zamindar Action Committee also demanded an increase in the fertilizer quota for Balochistan, ensuring uninterrupted supply of urea and nitrogen fertilizer, ending artificial shortage and hoarding, and giving special relief to farmers in the matter of fertilizer.

According to the committee, from 2022 to 2026, heavy rains, hailstorms, floods, and strong winds caused large-scale damage to crops and orchards in various areas of Balochistan, while total losses have reached billions of rupees. However, affected farmers have not yet received proper compensation. The committee demanded that transparent surveys be conducted again in all affected areas to estimate the actual losses and that immediate financial assistance and compensation be provided to affected farmers.

They demanded a special package especially for the owners of destroyed orchards and crops in Qila Saifullah, Qila Abdullah, Khuzdar, Zhob, and other affected areas.

Expressing concern over the water crisis in Balochistan, the Zamindar Action Committee said that the underground water level is continuously declining, so new small and large dams should be constructed in the province, existing dams and rainwater storage projects should be cleaned and rehabilitated, and effective planning should be done to prevent rainwater from being wasted.

The committee said that immediate steps are also necessary to improve the underground water level because if there is water, agriculture will survive, and agriculture is the basic pillar of Balochistan’s economy.

The Zamindar Action Committee also demanded relief regarding agricultural tax, income tax returns, and holding tax, saying that due to natural disasters, expensive electricity, fertilizer shortage, water crisis, and low crop prices, farmers are already suffering, and in such a situation, the burden of additional taxes is unacceptable.

The committee demanded immediate tax relief for affected farmers, elimination of unnecessary taxes imposed on the agriculture sector, and a special tax relief package for farmers affected by natural disasters.

Expressing concern over the electricity situation in rural areas after solarization, the Zamindar Action Committee said that along with providing financial assistance to farmers for solarization, WAPDA and relevant institutions have removed electricity poles and wires in many rural areas in the name of dismantling, and despite two years passing, domestic consumers in many areas are deprived of electricity facilities.

Tubewells are drying up, and farmers of Qila Abdullah and Pishin are being forced to migrate. The speakers said that unfortunately, today the Zamindar Action Committee is criticized in the assembly, but where were these critics when farmers faced electricity load-shedding and orchards and crops were drying up? They are trying to hide their incompetence and negligence by criticizing self-respecting farmers. The speakers said that a large part of land in Balochistan is unmeasured; a representative should be selected at the grassroots level regarding settlement so that settlements can be done in a clean and transparent manner. It is a welcome thing that today people belonging to different sectors are present on one platform. The Zamindar Action Committee’s struggle has a history; we have given martyrs for our rights. This is the only organization; if God forbid any action is taken against any farmer, the Action Committee will struggle fully.

Due to illegal smuggling of agricultural commodities, restrictions on fertilizer supply, and so-called agricultural tax, where agriculture is already facing problems due to climate change and natural disasters, agriculture will be destroyed by these government decisions. Today in Balochistan, fertilizer worth Rs4,000 per bag is being sold for Rs8,000, but there is no one to listen. Fertilizer is being sold in homes instead of fertilizer shops; then on whom does this responsibility fall? During the 2022 floods, no help was provided to affected farmers. Those who accuse farmers of selling electricity should tell where these people were when farmers were on the roads.

They appealed to transporters to refrain from loading foreign commodities. The committee demanded that electricity poles and wires in rural areas be restored immediately, electricity supply to domestic consumers be ensured, and along with solarization, an alternative electricity system should also be maintained.

The Zamindar Action Committee demanded from the provincial government, federal government, Agriculture Department, Irrigation Department, and other relevant institutions to seriously consider the Charter of Demand and take practical steps to bring Balochistan’s agricultural sector out of the crisis on an emergency basis.

Giving the government a September 15 ultimatum for resolving the problems, the Zamindar Action Committee said that farmers are determined to achieve their legitimate and constitutional demands and will continue to raise their voice for farmers’ rights on every constitutional forum.