ISLAMABAD: The protesting farmers, under the umbrella of Kissan Ittehad, on Thursday warned of ‘jamming’ the whole country, giving a two-hour ultimatum to authorities for negotiations.
According to details, thousands of protesting farmers continued their sit-in for the second day at the edge of Islamabad’s Red Zone for the fulfillment of their demands.
The protesting farmers have reached Jinnah Avenue and were marching towards D-Chowk, Red Zone for the fulfillment of their demands. Meanwhile, heavy traffic jams were witnessed on Express Road and adjacent highways due to the sit-in.
The farmers were demanding the restoration of the previous tubewell electricity tariff of Rs5.3 per unit and abolishing all taxes and adjustments.
The demonstrators demanded an end to the black marketing of fertilisers and reduction of urea rate. They also demanded that agriculture should be given the status of industry.
The Kissan Ittehad has vowed to continue the protest till the fulfillment of demands, warning of staging a sit-in at D-Chowk.
In a statement, the police said that the farmers would not be allowed to enter the Red Zone as the demonstrators may have batons or other weapons.
The representatives of protesting farmers had assured to stage sit-in in F-9, the police said, adding that the protesters were now determined to march towards D-Chowk.
The spokesperson assured that the police and administration would try to negotiate as much as possible, vowing that action would be taken against those who damage property. He further said that the police and administration would take measures to disperse the protesters.
The demonstrators claimed that the government has not yet sent any delegation to negotiate with them and only local administration approached them to negotiate for providing a place for the sit-in.
However, the police officials said efforts were being made by senior officers of the capital administration and police to negotiate with them but their leaders categorically refused to cooperate.
Govt starts negotiations
As the farmers’ protest in the federal capital entered its second day on Thursday, the government entered into negotiations with the protesters and asked them to call off their sit-in and go back to their homes.
The talks between the Kissan Ittehad came after the farmers who were present at the Khayaban interchange intended to move towards the Red Zone to stage a sit-in till the acceptance of their demands, said police and administration officials.
A delegation of the farmers visited the residence of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah. During the meeting, Kissan Ittehad presented its demands and Mr Sanaullah assured them the government would resolve their issues.
The delegation asked the government to defer the bills and revise the power tariff. They also demanded a reduction in electricity bills, as expensive electricity was affecting agriculture, according to officials familiar with the meeting. They added that the minister sought time from the Kissan leaders, saying that a decision over their demands may take a day or two, and requested them to call off the protest.
After meeting the minister, the delegation returned to the protest site and joined the sit-in, the officials said.
Meanwhile, the Red Zone remained partially sealed for the second day. Entry to the Red Zone was allowed from Margalla Road and Khayaban-i-Suharwardy only, the officials said, adding that Faisal Avenue was closed to the public from the pedestrian bridge near the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited to the Khayaban interchange.