Kisan Board Pakistan (KBP) President Sardar Zafar Hussein and Secretary General Muhammad Ramzan Rohari reacting to recent increase in petroleum products prices have termed it as an ‘oil drone’ attack on the whole nation. In a joint statement issued here on Thursday they alleged that hike in the prices of diesel, gas and electricity had resulted in closure of thousands of tube wells. While small and poor farmers were also unable to get their share from canal water due to influential big landlords, corrupt officials of the department and those involved in water theft.
They alleged that a large area of agricultural land situated at the tails of canal system was turning barren due to water thieves. They also claimed that Indian water aggression and below normal rains this season were also adding to the woes of the growers. They said masses especially growers were already facing numerous hardships due to prolonged loadshedding and over-billing and recent increase in the prices of petroleum products and gas would multiply their problems.
KBP leaders said the agriculture fully relied on availability of water and the government should withdraw the increase in diesel prices to enable the growers to irrigate its fields. They also said the government should convene an All Parties Conference to discuss the water shortage, Indian water aggression against Pakistan and evolve a solid strategy to come out of the crisis.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2012
