KBP Demands Wheat and Sugarcane Support Prices or Faces Protests

The Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has urged the government to immediately announce support prices for wheat and sugarcane, threatening nationwide protests if demands are not met. KBP Central President Sardar Zafar Hussain Khan called for Rs 5,000 per 40kg for wheat and Rs 700 per 40kg for sugarcane during a press conference in Lahore. He highlighted agriculture's critical role, contributing 22% to Pakistan's GDP and supporting 60% of the population, yet receiving only 2-3% of national budgets.

Sardar Zafar criticized successive governments for neglecting agriculture despite its economic importance, noting India's announcement of support prices for 22 crops. He accused powerful vested interests of blocking price announcements for key crops in Pakistan. The KBP president warned of a major protest campaign, including participation in Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman’s long march and a countrywide protest on November 5.

Additional concerns raised included the closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, urea supply restrictions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, excessive electricity billing by WAPDA, and declining profits in citrus and other fruit crops. Sardar Zafar alleged these issues were part of a broader policy that could create artificial food shortages and inflation. He urged farmers to stay organized and announced plans for extensive visits across the country to mobilize support.

The KBP president threatened to block major roads, including Lahore’s Mall Road and routes to Islamabad, if the government failed to announce support prices promptly. He emphasized the need for at least 10% of national and provincial budgets to be allocated to agriculture to strengthen the economy and reduce input costs.