Kohistan ADB violating PM’s orders, say farmers

MANSEHRA: The Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) in Kohistan has started recovery of loans, which had been written off by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after flash floods hit the district last year.

“The bank offices have been visiting our homes and threatening to put us behind bars if we don’t pay the agricultural loans,” an area resident, Abdul Sattar, told reporters in Dassu on Saturday.

A group of farmers who had availed the loans approached media persons and narrated their ordeal.

Led by Abdul Sattar, they said that their crops had been destroyed in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the district in November last year, and later the premier visited the affected areas in Kohistan and announced writing off all agricultural loans availed by local peasants.

“Nawaz Sharif had announced Rs40 million for the payment of the loans but now we are being harassed by recovery officers of the bank to pay loans with interest, otherwise, be ready for jail,” he added.

He said that as one year had passed since the prime minister made the announcement, the ADB was yet to write off the loans.

“Believe me, we cannot freely work or go to bazaar because of the fear of arrest,” he said, adding: “We will take to the streets if the bank’s recovery officers don’t stop harassment of farmers in the district.”