Agricultural reforms will be implemented on an emergency basis: PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD, August 18 (SABAH): Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed all relevant ministries to prepare agricultural reforms plan on an emergency basis.

He said this while chairing a high-level meeting on agricultural sector reforms held in Islamabad on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said agricultural reforms will be implemented on an emergency basis.

He said that the government will work on the construction of silos for storing wheat and agricultural commodities. Shehbaz Sharif said a comprehensive awareness campaign should be conducted to make the farmers aware of the modern methods of agriculture.

Matters related to procurement of future wheat, cotton and self-oil production, modern machinery at low cost to farmers, subsidy on urea and DAP, expected production and import, quality seeds, better use of water and provision of timely loans to farmers were discussed during the meeting.

The Prime Minister was briefed by sub-committees of wheat, cotton, edible oil, fertilizers, agricultural research, water use in agriculture, climate change and agricultural machinery in the meeting.

Federal Ministers Chaudhry Tariq Bashir Cheema, Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Dr. Miftah Ismail Ahmed, Special Assistants Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan and high ranking officials attended the meeting.

Agriculture Secretaries of all the provinces participated in the meeting through video link.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed NDMA, PDMA and the provincial government to speed-up relief operations in the flood-affected areas immediately.

According to PM Office, Shehbaz Sharif said the first priority in a flood situation is the rescue of the affected people and their immediate assistance.

He also directed that 50000 rupees should be provided immediately to each victim family. The Prime Minister directed for immediate provision of accommodation, medical facilities, food and clean drinking water to the victims. He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and properties due to floods in southern Sindh.