DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi met a delegation of the Buner Tobacco Action Committee to discuss the challenges faced by tobacco growers, particularly the non-purchase of their ready crop and the resulting situation, according to an official statement.
The statement said the delegation briefed the Chief Minister on the difficulties being encountered in the procurement of tobacco and the risk of potential financial losses to growers.
The Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to convene an immediate meeting with the Chairman, Pakistan Tobacco Board, to formally take up the issues confronting tobacco growers in Buner, it added.
He further directed that two local representatives of the growers be included in the meeting to ensure that their concerns are presented directly to the relevant authorities. The Chief Minister directed that the matter of timely procurement of the ready tobacco crop be addressed on an emergency basis and that all necessary measures be taken to protect growers from potential financial losses.
According to the statement, CM-Afridi also directed that the issue of increasing the tobacco procurement quota be placed on the agenda of the meeting. Sohail Afridi said the provincial government would extend all possible support to expedite the tobacco procurement process and safeguard the interests of growers. He also directed the relevant authorities to identify and propose viable measures for addressing the structural issues faced by tobacco growers on a sustainable basis.
The Chief Minister said that protecting the rights of farmers remains a priority of the provincial government and that, where necessary, the legal framework could also be amended to strengthen such protections. Sohail Afridi said his government was committed to delivering sustainable solutions to public issues and investing in human development. He said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf provincial government believes in sustainable resolution of public grievances and would continue to take effective measures to protect the legitimate rights of farmers and address the concerns of all segments of society.
