Pakistan: Farmers in Gujrat protest land acquisition move to establish industrial estate

Scores of farmers lodged on Friday a strong protest against the decision of land acquisition in three villages by the government for the establishment of Phase-II of the industrial estate in the district, reports Dawn News.

Local administration has identified three villages namely Saroki, Chak Qazian and Sheikh Qureshian to establish Phase-II of the industrial estate and for the acquisition of agricultural land for the purpose.

The protesting farmers gathered near Saroki bridge on the Upper Jhelum Canal where banners inscribed with slogans against what they termed their exploitation by the government through “snatching” their fertile lands were displayed, reports Dawn News.

A delegation of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led by former federal minister Qamar Zaman Kaira expressed solidarity with the farmers and joined them.

Former Punjab finance minister Tanveer Ashraf Kaira, local PPP leader Mian Fakhar Mushtaq Pagganwala, district general secretary Dr Zahid Zaheer and scores of party workers also visited the site proposed for the industrial estate’s Phase-II, reports Dawn News.

Speaking to the farmers and the media, Qamar Kaira vowed the PPP would resist the government’s move and raise the issue at every forum, including the assemblies and also move the court.