PA speaker advocates open discussion on agricultural tax

LAHORE: Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has emphasised the importance of open discussion on implementing an agricultural tax in Punjab.

He said that the topic of agricultural tax should not be considered taboo, and assembly members should actively share their views on the matter.

In a conversation with the newly-elected president and secretary of the Punjab Assembly Press Gallery, the speaker said that in Punjab, 70% of small farmers will not fall under the tax bracket. At the same time, agriculture contributes around three billion rupees to government revenue. However, subsidies provided to farmers amount to approximately 300 times this figure.

“We want assembly members to discuss the farmers’ tax bill thoroughly,” he said. The speaker said that over half of Punjab’s population is linked to agriculture, yet this sector contributes only three billion rupees to the GDP.

When agricultural tax is implemented, it will be essential to assess its balance with subsidies.

“If the industrial sector has rights, why shouldn’t farmers have the same rights? Farmers are an integral part of our society,” he stated. The speaker also raised concern about crop failures, asking, “When crops fail, will the government step in to support farmers, or will they be left helpless?” He stressed the importance of having a conversation about agricultural tax to safeguard farmers’ rights through strong arguments.