The tobacco board closure has triggered protests from farmers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, who claim the decision threatens their livelihoods and the future of their families.
The Kisan Board Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced plans to stage a sit-in in Islamabad and hold a grand jirga, uniting farmers across the province to demand a reversal of the decision. Speaking at a meeting in Shergarh, board president Haji Abdul Akbar Khan criticized the government’s move.
“The tobacco board closure is not just a policy change; it’s a deliberate attack on thousands of farmers who rely on this crop to survive,” he said. Farmers argued that the board’s abolition would eliminate protections provided under the 1968 Tobacco Act and MLO 482, leaving 80,000 tobacco growers and 1.5mn industry-linked workers vulnerable to exploitation. Rizwanullah Khan, a local farmer leader, said, “This decision is a direct hit on our ability to earn a living. Without the board, we have no voice.”
For Ali Haider, a farmer from Mardan, the tobacco board closure is deeply personal. “My family has farmed tobacco for generations. This decision jeopardizes not just our income but our entire way of life,” he said, adding that farmers already face challenges such as fluctuating market prices and rising input costs.
The Kisan Board plans to use media and social media to amplify their protest, urging the government to reconsider the decision. A sit-in in Islamabad is expected soon, with participation from agricultural organizations across the province. “We will fight to protect our livelihoods and ensure a fair future for our children,” said Abdul Akbar Khan, emphasizing the urgency of their cause.
