The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad on Friday announced it is postponing its long march to Islamabad on a request and assurances of the Balochistan government.
Home Affairs Adviser Babar Yousafzai said a government delegation led by provincial Minister Ali Madad Jattak had met Kissan Ittehad President Khalid Baath and assured the farmers of steps to address their demands and fulfil their legitimate concerns.
Yousafzai said Baath had accepted the government’s assurances and request and announced postponing the long march. He said the Kissan Ittehad had decided to postpone the march in view of the prevailing national situation and law and order concerns.
The adviser further said dialogue between the Balochistan government and the Kissan Ittehad was an important step towards progress, adding the provincial government was taking serious measures to address the demands of the farming community.
Earlier, Baath told a press conference the farmers’ demands included the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, whose policies they blame for their profitability concerns. He maintained the farmers would launch a nationwide movement aimed at securing their demands, adding the peaceful struggle would continue until the problems facing the agricultural sector were resolved.
In his statement, he also appealed to Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti to declare an agricultural emergency in the province and prioritize agriculture over development projects.