Syed Fakhar Imam (Minister for National Food Security): PTI government is taking proactive measures for public welfare. There are some 8.4 million farmers in Pakistan, with 5.3 million in Punjab alone. The launching of Kisan Card will assist and facilitate farmers in buying agricultural inputs, pesticides and machinery. The money will be transferred directly to the account of farmer and there will be no middleman involved. Today, majority of farmers in Multan were registered and the process will be replicated in other districts as well. This policy will especially benefit the small farmers who otherwise have no access to financial resources. PTI is the first government in the history of country that is directly reaching to people at grass root level. Due to government policies, we have received bumper crops of wheat, corn and rice this year. Similarly, we expect good crop of cotton as well.

Dr. Salman Shah (Advisor to Chief Minister of Punjab on Economic Affairs):  The Kisan Card will facilitate the farming community and help them in enhancing their agriculture output as well. The farmers will get subsidized fertilizer, seed and pesticides besides low-interest loans and compensation for damaged crops in case of any natural calamity.  This innovative scheme will bring about a revolution in the country by making the life of farmers easy through use of technology and enhancing agricultural production and saving foreign exchange. It will also contribute to poverty reduction, particularly in rural areas. 

Dr. Huma Baqai (IR Expert): South Asia is undergoing a sea change. There is a developing situation in Afghanistan, Sino-US rivalry is receding and improvement in Pak-India relations will certainly help the region. There are lot of sane voices in India as well that are demanding New Delhi to review its course. There is talk of friendly nations playing their role in mediation between Pakistan and India. UAE is very open about the fact that it is making efforts to bring India and Pakistan closer for regional peace. Things are moving in the right direction and we should be positively optimistic about the future. In the midst of corona pandemic, cooperation between the two countries will augur well.