CPEC: Punjab Governor pledges to protect Chinese investment in agriculture sector

Lahore: Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman has pledged to protect Chinese investment in the agriculture sector under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He held this categorical assurance to a delegation of Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) led by its chairman Shahzad Ali Malik, which called on him here at governor house.

The Governor maintained that fully protecting planned Chinese investment on “China Hybrid Agriculture Model and Transfer of Technology” under phase 11 of CPEC was key to move forward.

The Governor promised that he will take up the matter of withdrawal of 17 percent sale tax on agriculture seeds with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail to help boost agriculture production in the province for meeting ever increasing food staple needs of growing population.

The Governor said that good quality hi tech hybrid seed always play a key role in enhancing the agriculture production manifolds.

He stressed that the use of high quality seeds was one of the most important elements in any farming system as well as a cornerstone of any successful agriculture program.

He pointed out that this element had become more crucial than ever for providing enough food security for the rising number of population in the world which is expected to exceed nine billion by year 2050, he added.

Balighur Rehman who himself has a background as a progressive agriculturist, contended that quality seed is the fundamental element in crop production which not only doubles and triples the yield but also decreases cost of production considerably besides preventing spread of weeds, diseases and pests.

Shahzad Ali Malik while briefing the governor said in view of importance of quality seed in agriculture sector the government must withdraw unjustified ST without loss of time to avoid shifting of its burden on poor people besides fully protecting Chinese investment on “China Hybrid Agriculture Model and Transfer of Technology” under phase II of CPEC.

He remarked that Pakistan was in direct competition with the top agricultural produce exporting countries of the world and levy of ST will result in a sharp decrease in agricultural yields and hit export targets besides at least 20% increase in the prices of all essential crops.

Shahzad Ali Malik expressed his gratitude to Governor for sympathetic consideration of their legitimate demand.