ISLAMABAD: The traders of South Punjab have urged the United Business Group to monitor prime minister’s relief package for farmers and ensure transparent implementation of the package.
Khanewal Chamber of Commerce, Pakistan Crops Protection Association and All Pakistan Seed Association have asked UBG Chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik and Patron-in-Chief SM Muneer to monitor the entire procedure.
The demand came at a time when UBG leaders have embarked on a visit to South Punjab to muster support in the FPCCI elections for their candidate Abdul Rauf Alam.
Speaking at the occasion Haji Atta-ur-Rehman of crops association said that all the trade associations present here will support the UBG candidate. He said that privileged class must not be allowed to take full benefit of package and that UBG leadership should play their role in it.
Iftikhar Ali Malik and SM Muneer said that Rs 341 billion package is designed to bailout farmers suffering from multiple issues. They said that we will ensure that the benefit of the move must reach all the intended recipients in a quick and transparent manner.
The UBG leaders said that agricultural growth which was 2.9 percent last year will increase and benefit the rural economy due to the timely and wise move. Government is fully aware of issues like increasing input prices, hiccups in urea distribution, influence of middlemen, lack of loans, provision of quality seed, and fake pesticides which are being resolved. Rs20 billion subsidy on urea would bring down the price which will increase its application to boost output, they noted.
FPCCI Presidential Candidate Abdul Rauf Alam said that the rural economy must be linked to the industry and storage facilities be upgraded so that value addition could assist all the stakeholders.
