JI calls for withdrawal of GST on agri inputs

OKARA: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq has said that at least 80 per cent population of the country is attached with agriculture, but they are living a miserable life due to the high cost of the agriculture inputs.
He was addressing a huge gathering at Depalpur Chowk while leading the Kisan long march from Sahiwal to Islamabad. He demanded that the farmers should be granted interest-free agri loans. He also demanded the government fix procurement price of Basmati rice at Rs 4,000 per 40kg, of sugarcane at Rs 250 per 40kg, of maize at Rs 1,200 per 40kg and of potato at Rs 1,800 per 40kg, besides announcing flat tariff for tube-wells. He said that the GST must be withdrawn from all kinds of agri inputs. He asked the government to ensure that all dues of sugarcane growers must be cleared by the mills in the country till October 30 as the new crushing season would begin from November 1. He announced his support in favour of Chaudhry Riazul Haq Juj, an independent candidate contesting NA-144 by-polls. JI district ameer Dr Liaqat Ali and Punjab general secretary Sheikh Farooq also addressed the gathering. The Kisan long march was arranged the Pakistan Kisan Board (PKB). PKB president Sadiq Khan Khakwani, Kisan Raj Tehrik president Arslan Khan Khakwani and others were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, Siraj said that the KP government did not consult the JI regarding re-including Aftab Sher Pao’s Qaumi Watan Party in the government. He, however, said that KP chief minister had been lobbying for the last three months for re-including the Qaumi Watan Party in the provincial cabinet to strengthen the KP government. He said that enormous complaints were being received against the governments regarding interfering in the local government elections in Punjab and Sindh provinces, especially in Sindh, where the poor LG candidates were being oppressed by the Wadera candidates in connivance with the government.