Kisan Board KP Rejects Agri Tax, Warns Protest Over Tobacco Board Abolition

FAZAL HAQ

MARDAN: President of Kisan Board Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rizwanullah Khan, Condemns Agricultural Income Tax and Abolition of Pakistan Tobacco Board,The President of Kisan Board Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rizwanullah Khan, has strongly criticized the provincial government for imposing an agricultural income tax, calling it an “economic massacre” of farmers. He further stated that the abolition of the Pakistan Tobacco Board would be a severe economic blow to farmers. He highlighted that the tobacco crop supports 80,000 laborers and 1.5 million households, while generating an annual revenue of 237 billion PKR for the federal government through sales tax and excise duty.Farmers have issued a warning that if the provincial government does not immediately withdraw the agricultural tax and the decision to dissolve the Pakistan Tobacco Board, they will stage a protest sit-in outside the provincial assembly before Ramadan.Rizwanullah Khan made these remarks during a crowded press conference at the Takht Bhai Press Club. Also present on the occasion were Haji Abdul Akbar Khan (President Kisan Board Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdul Samad Khan, Anwar Khan, Mushtaq Khan, Imran Khan, and Shad Khan.He criticized the poor performance and failed policies of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, stating that the farming community is facing severe challenges. He pointed out that the prices of fertilizers and pesticides have skyrocketed across the country, and the continuous increase in petroleum prices is further worsening the situation for farmers. He condemned the imposition of agricultural income tax on farmers and demanded its immediate withdrawal. He also strongly opposed the federal government’s decision to dissolve the Pakistan Tobacco Board, calling it an unjust move. Rizwanullah Khan emphasized that tobacco is a cash crop for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, generating billions of rupees in revenue for the federal government. Thousands of people in the province are directly linked to tobacco farming, with 1.5 million households dependent on it. He clarified that Pakistan Tobacco Board is financially self-sufficient, has never taken any government loans, and does not burden the national treasury.He warned that dissolving a profitable institution like the Pakistan Tobacco Board is an economic conspiracy that would lead to the complete destruction of the tobacco industry. The legal protections for the tobacco crop would become ineffective, and all employees of the board would face economic hardships.

He further stated that the closure of the tobacco industry would leave 80,000 workers unemployed and push 1.5 million people into financial distress. Moreover, the federal government would lose 237 billion PKR in annual revenue, while the provincial government would lose 450 million PKR.Rizwanullah Khan demanded that the provincial government immediately announce a clear agricultural policy. He warned that if the Pakistan Tobacco Board is dissolved and the agricultural income tax is not withdrawn, thousands of farmers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will march to the provincial assembly before Ramadan, wearing burial shrouds, and stage a protest sit-in.He held the provincial government fully responsible for any consequences.