LAHORE:
The Punjab assembly witnessed a torment session on Thursday when the provincial government announced that it would not fix the wheat acquisition price or buy the harvest this season, a statement that caused a strong reaction and an opposition strike.
The tensions intensified when the Pakistan-Nawaz Muslim League (PML-N) MPA Salma Butt, special assistant of the principal minister on pricing control and management of basic products, described the government’s policy over wheat.
Butt clarified that the government would not intervene in establishing wheat prices or acquiring grain. However, he said that the well -being of farmers remains a priority, pointing out an increase in the Agricultural Development Budget of RS29 billion to RS64 billion.
In an attempt to offer relief, he announced the distribution of 1,000 free tractors to farmers between May 1 and May 30, 2025.
He also said that farmers could now store their wheat and ensure up to 70% of their value through bank financing.
The opposition leader, Ahmad Khan Bhachahar, criticized the government’s position, comparing it to tell farmers to “eat bread instead of Roti.”
He accused the Government of leaving the Agricultural Community of Punjab and demanded an RS250 billion help package to avoid the anguish and difficulties of farmers.
“If the government does not reduce its own extravagant expenses to support farmers, hungry hunger,” Bhachaha warned, before leading the opposition in a strike strike.
Meanwhile, AUQAF and religious affairs minister Shafay Hussain admitted during the session that the land monoparanores had occupied several properties belonging to the AUQAF department.
He said the government had managed to claim five acres and three kanals of land and was working to recover more throughout the province. He also announced plans to introduce modern donation boxes that resemble ATMs in main sanctuaries to improve transparency and efficiency of collection.
The assembly is expected to continue debates about agricultural policy and agricultural reforms in the next few days.
LHC audience
The Superior Court of Lahore (LHC) was postponed on Tuesday until May 2, the hearing of a petition that seeks the price of wheat that would be established in RS4,000 by 40 kg, after the provincial government informed the court that the Punjab cabinet in consideration is considering the issue of wheat regulation.
Judge Sultan Tanvir Ahmad presided over the hearing, during which a representative of the Provincial Price Control Department told the Court that a final decision is expected with respect to prices and the acquisition of the cabinet wheat. The federal government lawyer commented that the petitioner should have approached the Court in a timely manner, to which the Judge Tanvir responded critically, questioning the preparation of the State.
“Don’t you know when the harvest is ready? What happens to common people if your condition is like that?” Noticed. The petitioner Ghulam Abbas presented the case against the provincial government, the Secretary of the Food Department and the General Director of the Storage Corporation and Agricultural Services of Pakistan (Pasco).
In his request, Abbas argued that while the government plans to set the price of wheat at RS2,200 for 40 kg, the average production cost per ACRE amounts to RS3,600.
He argued that the fact of not offering a fair price and buying wheat from farmers is not very ethical and illegal, and added that such policies would exacerbate the difficulties facing the agricultural community.
