LAHORE
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Kisan Wing has unveiled a comprehensive “Charter of Demands” urging the government to provide immediate and dignified relief to flood-affected farmers, warning that mere statements without action would deepen the crisis facing the agricultural sector.
The demands were presented by PTI Kisan Wing Punjab President Major (R) Ghulam Sarwar and General Secretary Muhammad Ijaz Shafi MPA during a press conference at the Lahore Press Club, accompanied by Central Secretary Information Khalid Nawaz Sadhraich.
They criticized what they termed the government’s “indifferent attitude” toward the rehabilitation of the farming community, saying it was causing more damage than the floods themselves. The leaders said the Charter was developed in consultation with affected farmers and based on ground realities.
According to Central Spokesperson Khalid Nawaz Sadhraich, the Charter calls for:
An urgent and transparent survey of all losses, followed by immediate financial assistance.
Subsidized seeds, fertilizers, and diesel for the upcoming Rabi season.
Special funds for the repair of destroyed houses and temporary accommodation for displaced families.
Compensation for loss of livestock.
Postponement of agricultural loan recoveries in flood-hit areas and provision of interest-free loans.
A transparent investigation into the failure of NDMA and relevant government institutions to take preventive measures, with accountability for negligence.
The Charter further emphasized that the government must personally reach out to the victims and compensate them while ensuring their self-respect.
Major (R) Sarwar and Ijaz Shafi cautioned that if timely help is not extended, Pakistan could face a serious food and commodity crisis in the coming months. They vowed that PTI’s Kisan Wing would continue to raise farmers’ voices at every platform.
They cited government data shared with the IMF, reporting Rs 370 billion in total flood damages, including Rs 155 billion to the agriculture sector, destruction of 3.26 million acres of farmland, and loss of over 11,000 livestock. Despite this, they lamented, both the government and NDMA failed to take timely action, leaving farmers humiliated and struggling for relief.
