Do Not Sacrifice Agriculture to Meet IMF Conditions, Markazi Kisan League

LAHORE: Markazi Kisan League (MKL) President Ashfaq Virk has strongly opposed the government’s proposed fixed agricultural income tax scheme aimed at meeting IMF conditions. He said imposing an additional tax of up to Rs5,000 per acre would place an unbearable burden on farmers and could push them towards further economic hardship.
He said the government should not deprive farmers of their last source of relief merely to satisfy the IMF. The proposed fixed tax scheme, he added, was a serious warning for the agricultural economy and required immediate reconsideration.
Ashfaq Virk said farmers were already struggling with high prices of fertiliser, seeds, diesel, electricity and agricultural medicines. Rising production costs, inflation, water shortages, climate-related challenges and uncertain crop prices had further intensified their difficulties. Imposing additional taxes in such circumstances could seriously affect agricultural production and national food security.
The MKL president said imposing a uniform fixed tax on small and medium-sized farmers was unjust. The government must understand that farmers were not merely taxpayers but the working class responsible for feeding the nation. Adding to their financial burden instead of providing relief would further deepen the crisis in the agricultural sector.
He questioned why IMF-related pressure was being passed on to poor people, workers and farmers alone. He asked why privileges enjoyed by the elite, unnecessary protocols, government expenditures and other non-productive expenses were not being reduced.
Ashfaq Virk demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposed fixed agricultural income tax scheme, protection for small farmers from additional taxation and a comprehensive relief package for the agriculture sector.
He warned that continued pressure on farmers would adversely affect agriculture, food security and the national economy.