Staff Reporter
Lahore
The two-day long protest by Punjab’s farmers against government policies bore fruit on Wednesday as Law Minister Raja Basharat and Energy Minister Akhtar Malik assured the protestors that their issues would be resolved.
Law Minister Raja Basharat said that legitimate demands of the farmers will be resolved, for which our doors are open 24-hours a day. Upon the assurance by the government, the Pakistan Kissan Ittehad (PKI) decided to call off the sit-in.
The farmers had staged a protest at Thokar Niaz Baig, Multan Road. Protesters blocked the entrances and exits of Lahore for traffic, not allowing it to go on the motorway either. Farmers had also seized an oil tanker.
Police had deployed anti-riot force to keep the protestors at bay. After a nearly two-hour standoff, the police used water-cannons and tear gas shells to control the protestors.
The demonstrators countered the attack by pelting stones in return but police dispersed protesters and arrested several farmers, after which traffic was restored on Multan Road.
The Kissan Ittehad had demanded cheaper electricity, reduction in fertilizer prices and an increase in the support price of wheat.
