Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to speed up the implementation of the special Kisan Package, which he had announced earlier after the devastating floods wreaked havoc in the country.
The prime minister said that farmers should be ensured the supply of better seeds to increase the production of pulses and other food grains.
Meeting on farmers’ package
Presiding over a review session on the farmers’ package, he said that “we have to ensure food security in Pakistan in any situation”.
The prime minister directed to pay special attention to the cultivation and production of wheat, cotton, canola and olives for food security in the country.
The meeting was informed that for the implementation of Kisan Package, a loan scheme for youth, interest waiver for small farmers and State Bank notification regarding providing interest-free agricultural loans to small farmers in flood-affected areas. has issued instructions to the banks.
In the current financial year till November, agricultural loans of 664 billion have been distributed to farmers, which is 36% more than the same period of the previous financial year.
Finance Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security and Research Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Industry Minister Syed Murtaza Mehmood, Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Minister of State for Petroleum Dr. Mossadegh Malik, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Dr. Jahanzeb Khan were present in the meeting. Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Coordinator Rana Ehsan Afzal and concerned senior officials attended.
