The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad has postponed its planned long march and sit-in towards Islamabad after receiving assurances from the Balochistan government regarding the farmers’ demands.
The march was scheduled to begin from Quetta on Friday.
According to Balochistan Home Affairs Adviser Babar Yousafzai, a government delegation led by Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jattak met Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Baath. Member of the Balochistan Assembly Mir Jahanzeb Mengal was also present during the meeting.
The government delegation assured the farmers’ representative that steps would be taken to address the concerns of the farming community and consider their legitimate demands.
Mr Yousafzai said Khalid Baath accepted the government’s assurances and request to postpone the march towards Islamabad. He also assured the delegation of the farmers’ cooperation.
The home affairs adviser said the decision was taken in view of the prevailing national situation and law and order concerns.
He described the dialogue between the provincial government and the Kissan Ittehad as an important step towards resolving the farmers’ issues and said the government was taking measures to address their demands.
Earlier, before announcing the postponement, Khalid Baath had told a press conference that the farmers planned to march towards Islamabad to press for their demands.
Among their demands was the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over what the farmers’ leader described as concerns regarding her agricultural policies.
Baath said the protest would continue until the farmers’ demands were addressed and claimed that farmer caravans from different parts of the country were expected to join the march.
He said the movement was aimed at highlighting the challenges facing the agricultural sector and improving conditions for farmers. He also announced plans for a nationwide campaign to raise farmers’ concerns and said the community would continue its peaceful struggle until its issues were resolved.
Baath expressed reservations over Punjab’s agricultural policies and called for greater government support for the farming community.
He said farmers played a key role in maintaining the country’s food supply and claimed that the agriculture sector had faced serious difficulties over the past three years due to what he described as ineffective policies.
He also pointed to rising inflation, saying higher food prices had made it increasingly difficult for low-income households to afford basic necessities.
Baath called for urgent measures to revive the agricultural sector and provide greater support to farmers. He said the economic wellbeing of farmers was closely linked to the prosperity of Balochistan and Pakistan.
He also criticised bureaucratic decision-making, alleging that officials lacked awareness of the challenges faced by farmers and landowners.
The Kissan Ittehad leader appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to declare an agricultural emergency in the province and give greater priority to agriculture alongside development initiatives.
Baath also cited law and order challenges in Balochistan, claiming that deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners were facing difficulties in reaching their offices.
