QUETTA: Pakistan Kisan Ittehad has decided to postpone its planned long march from Quetta to Islamabad following constructive discussions with the Balochistan government, which promised to address the farmers’ demands.
The meeting involved a government delegation led by Provincial Minister Ali Madad Jattak, along with Balochistan Home Department Adviser Babar Yousafzai and Member of the Balochistan Assembly Mir Janzaib Mengal. They met with Kisan Ittehad President Khalid Hussain Bath to discuss the farmers’ concerns.
During the talks, the government representatives assured the farmers that their issues would be taken seriously and resolved. In response to these commitments, Bath agreed to postpone the long march, citing the government’s request and considering the current national situation and law and order challenges.
The long march had commenced from the Quetta Press Club at 3 pm on Friday, with thousands of farmers from Balochistan participating. The march was intended to reach Islamabad to press for various demands related to agriculture.
Kisan Ittehad had raised multiple grievances, including problems with wheat procurement and pricing, escalating input costs, and government policies negatively impacting the farming community. Bath also criticized existing policies, stating they had exacerbated the difficulties faced by farmers.
In a significant development, the government’s decision to engage with Kisan Ittehad came after efforts to initiate dialogue with groups planning protests and marches towards Islamabad. Earlier this month, the federal government had announced its intention to negotiate with the farmers’ alliance ahead of their scheduled September 25 march.
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