Farmers end protest after govt assures of meeting demands

ISLAMABAD: Farmers — who have been holding a sit-in in the federal capital for almost a week — ended their protest Tuesday after the federal government agreed to meet their demands. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee to resolve protesters' issues, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said in a press conference after holding the latest round of talks with the farmers.

"The committee will hold negotiations with the farmers tomorrow. All the issues of the farmers will be resolved," the interior minister said, urging the protesters to end their sit-in.

The minister also urged all those supporting the farmers in their sit-in to return to their homes as a ministerial committee would hear all their reservations.

"The country will prosper once the farmer prospers," Sanaullah said.

He added that the government has agreed to the farmers' demand regarding the fuel adjustment charges and the deferment in the payment of bills.

The Kissan Ittehad — comprising farmers from across Punjab — has demanded the removal of taxes and adjustments and the restoration of the previous tubewell electricity rate of Rs5.3 per unit.

The demonstrators had also demanded an end to the black marketing of fertilisers and a reduction of the urea rate.

The federal government had called in a heavy contingent of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to contain the protesters as they were near the Red Zone.