LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Punjab Kisan Wing General Secretary Ejaz Shafi has strongly criticised the Punjab government's agricultural budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, labeling it as an anti-farmer package that would further burden an already struggling community.
Budget Criticised as Anti-Farmer
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Shafi expressed his discontent, stating that the provincial government had chosen to impose additional taxes and charges on farmers at a time when they were grappling with rising electricity tariffs, expensive fertilisers, and high diesel prices. He argued that these measures would exacerbate the financial woes of the farming community.
Flat Tax on Landholdings
Shafi specifically criticised the government's decision to impose a flat agricultural tax of Rs1,000 per acre on landholdings exceeding 12.5 acres. He contended that this move would disproportionately affect small and medium farmers. According to Shafi, the previous tax structure was more equitable:
- Farmers owning between 12.5 and 25 acres paid Rs300 per acre.
- Those holding 25 to 50 acres paid Rs400 per acre.
- Landowners with more than 50 acres paid Rs500 per acre.
The new flat rate, he argued, represents a significant increase that will place an undue burden on farmers who are already facing high input costs. Shafi urged the government to reconsider the tax and provide relief to the agricultural sector instead of imposing additional financial strain.
