Farmers Reject Punjab’s Rs15 Billion Relief Package

Multan, April 20, 2025 — The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI), a prominent farmers' alliance, has rejected the Punjab government's recently announced Rs15 billion relief package for farmers, calling it insufficient and unresponsive to the current agricultural crisis.

Addressing a press conference in Multan, the President of the alliance, Khalid Khokhar, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's relief measures. He warned that if farmers' demands are not addressed, they will refuse to grow wheat next season.

“Farmers cultivated wheat at the request of Maryam Nawaz, but now the government has turned a blind eye to their plight,” said Khokhar. He emphasized that the announced subsidies are far too low to cover the soaring production costs, leaving farmers unable to recover their investments.

Khokhar accused the Punjab Chief Minister of neglecting farmers’ concerns and failing to engage in meaningful dialogue with agricultural representatives. “Not even once has the Chief Minister addressed the grievances of farmers. Our cost of production isn’t being recovered. We are simply demanding our due rights,” he stated.

He also highlighted the growing mental stress faced by farmers, citing increasing reports of emotional distress and warning that some may be pushed to the brink of suicide due to continued economic hardships and lack of government support.

The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad is now calling for a comprehensive agricultural policy, immediate price support interventions, and meaningful subsidies that reflect the actual cost of farming in Pakistan.