ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Peoples’ Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari demanded government to announce special incentives for farmers in upcoming budget and provide direct relief to small farmers by subsidising agriculture sector.

Speaking on National Assembly floor, Bilawal Bhutto emphasised provision of subsidies to small farmers and landlords through implementation of ‘Kisan Card’ system. He highlighted that Pakistan’s annual import of agricultural goods exceeds Rs 10 billion and stressed importance of facilitating small farmers to minimise this dependency. He demanded government to engage all stakeholders, including farmers’ organisations and proposed declaration of 10-year emergency along with implementation of consistent agricultural policies.

Bilawal Bhutto urged government to take decisive action to resolve wheat import controversy and hold accountable those responsible during interim set-up in wheat import scandal. He stressed that Prime Minister should identify bureaucrats and former ministers involved the scandal and take prompt action against them without any further delay. He emphasised that all major parties have consistently recognised agriculture as backbone of country in their manifestos. He pointed out that funds involved in scandal were derived from tax contributions of people of Pakistan and those responsible for misusing them should be held accountable. This loss to farmers and economy were result of decisions made by incapable and inefficient individuals, and they must be held accountable. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari advised opposition to provide input in upcoming budget, particularly during Pakistan’s current financial crisis. Bilawal Bhutto termed PTI as non-serious party and asserted that they refuse to apologise for May 9 incident. He said that no one should be permitted to commit terrorism, but opposition leadership committed terrorism on May 9 by disrespecting monuments of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for country.