Pakistan: Tobacco Board's Decision Hailed

Source from:  Business Recorder 07/27/2012

Local politicians and growers have welcomed restarting of the purchase of tobacco by Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB), saying the decision has averted situation from going to deterioration. A meeting in this connection was held in Yaqubi, district Swat, Speaking on the ocassion, senior vice chairman, Anjuman Kashtkaran Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Haji Niamat Shah said that the godowns and houses of growers are filled of tobacco and further delay in purchase can create problems for them. He said that tobacco growers have four registered organisations included Anjuman-e-Kashtkaran, Kissan Board, Agricultural Chamber and Anjuman-e-Tobacco and they recognised no other organisation. On this occasion, president of Yaqubi Jirga, Inayat Ali Shah said that after vacation from tobacco, they used to cultivate maize on their farms and delay in the beginning of purchase season is badly affecting the cultivation of the crop. Another member, Hazrat Hussein said that only Yar Hussein has 1200 bhatais of tobacco, where thousands of people are working. He said that any effect on the crop will badly affect the livelihood of those people and ultimate impact will be on the law and order situation of the district. Enditem