The members of Kissan Ittehad Pakistan (KIP) have started a token hunger strike in front of the Quetta Press Club, demanding the acceptance of a 15-point charter of demands that was handed over to the government. The Chairman of Kissan Ittehad Pakistan, Khalid Hussain Bathh, announced that the hunger strike would continue until the government accepts and implements their demands.
Speaking at a press conference along with Arya Hurrain, he said that KIP had presented the demands of growers and Zamindars affected in 2022 and urged the concerned authorities to take steps to resolve the issues faced by Kissan and Zamindars. He stated that despite repeatedly presenting their demands, the government has not accepted them. “We are once again presenting our 15-point charter of demands,” Mr. Bathh said, adding that KIP has decided to launch a token hunger strike, for which a strike camp has been set up in front of the Quetta Press Club.
The Chairman, Khalid Hussain Bathh, further announced that the hunger strike camp will continue until the demands are accepted. He warned that “the token hunger strike could be converted into a general hunger strike if the government ignores our demands.” He said the provincial government has failed to provide a solar energy system to Zamindars and growers despite repeated promises. Instead of providing solar energy systems, power connections are being disconnected by the Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO).
He demanded that the government provide funds to Zamindars and growers for the solarization of their agricultural tube wells. He also called for the restoration of Rabi canal tube-well connections in the Manjoshori area of Nasirabad and demanded that power supply in Harnai and Kuchlak be restored.
