National Assembly today (Monday) unanimously passed a resolution condemning ongoing Indian oppression against the people of Occupied Kashmir.

The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, on the occasion of Martyrs’ Day. The resolution also expressed the resolve to extend diplomatic and political support to the just freedom struggle of Kashmiris.

The House called upon the United Nations and the international community to play their role to stop bloodshed and oppression in the Occupied Kashmir by the Indian forces.

Minister for National Food Security and Research Syed Fakhar Imam has called for use of modern technology in the agriculture sector to enhance per acre production and to boost economy of the country.

Initiating debate on the Agriculture sector of the country in the National Assembly, he said quality seed of major crops like cotton, wheat, sugarcane and maize should be provided to farmers on subsidized rates to increase crop production.

He said use of quality seed with 80 percent germination capacity can enhance production of cotton bales from nine to fourteen billion in coming years.

The Minister said entrepreneurs should be bound to manufacture pesticides and farm machinery in Pakistan in a given timeframe. He said transfer of technology is necessary to save money and enhance quality and production. He said focus should also be made on genetic engineering and health to boost livestock in the country.

Taking part in the debate, Ali Gohar said farmers should be provided with cheap electricity and the government should take strict action against those sugar mills, which have procured sugarcane from farmers, but failed to pay their price.

Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed said the government should provide subsidy to farmers on seeds and fertilizers. He said strict action should be taken against elements involved in selling adulterated pesticides.

Malik Nawab Sher Waseer proposed establishment of an agriculture chamber for the development agriculture sector. He said farmers, agri experts, and other stakeholders should be given representation in the agriculture chamber.

Rao Ajmal Khan said production of cotton can be enhanced by providing quality seeds on subsidized rates, while prices of diesel should also be reduced for farmers.

Ghaus Bux Khan Mahar said mouth and foot disease has become a major impediment in export of Pakistan’s Halal meat and the government should focus in this direction to fix this issue. He said subsidy should be given on solar tube-wells. He said agriculture research centers should be established across Pakistan to discover new varieties of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and farm machinery domestically.

Nisar Ahmed Cheema said the recent increase in diesel prices should immediately be withdrawn to facilitate the farmer community in the country. He said wheat has become obscure in the market due to lower support prices fixed by the government. He suggested that agriculture research universities should be established at division level. He said electricity connections for agriculture tube-wells should be provided on priority basis with significant reduction in electricity tariff for the agriculture sector.

Ghulam Bibi Bharwana said farmers are compelled to sell their produce on cheaper rates while they have to pay double the prices when they go to buy seeds of the same crop.

Raja Riaz proposed immediate construction of dams to ensure availability of water for the agriculture sector.

Choudhary Faqir Ahmed emphasized on provision of high yielding quality seeds, de-silting of canals and water courses and easy loans to farmers.

Those who also participated in the discussion include; Moulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Naveed Aamir Jeeva, Mir Khan Muhammad Jamali, Muhammad Hashim Notezai, Mufti Abdul Shakoor,   Ghulam Muhammad Lali and Muhammad Khan Daha.

The House also unanimously passed another resolution recommending the government to take measures for teaching of Quran with Urdu translation in all the universities and institutions of higher education affiliated with the federal government. 

The resolution was moved by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan. He said it will enable students to have a better understanding of Quranic education.

Responding to a call attention notice, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub said that 320 million rupees have been allocated in the current fiscal year for electrification of various parts of South Waziristan district.  He said 5.1 billion rupees have already been reserved for upgrading electricity infrastructure in the erstwhile tribal areas.

The House will now meet again tomorrow at 4pm.