GUJRANWALA: Scores of farmers staged a rally in Hafizabad on Thursday demanding that the government resume wheat procurement.

The protest was led by Kisan Board Pakistan`s Central Vice President Amanullah Chattha and Malik Shaukat Ali Phularwan. The rally began at Model Bazaar and culminated in a large gathering at Fawara Chowk.

The protesters, carrying placards, chanted slogans urging the government to set the wheat support price at Rs4,000 per 40kg and restart official wheat procurement. They also expressed concerns over the rising costs of fertilisers, fuel and electricity, blaming these factors for the decline of the agricultural sector.

Addressing the gathering, Amanullah Chattha and Malik Shaukat Ali Phularwan condemned the government`s decision to halt wheat procurement, calling it anti-farmer. They urged authorities to immediately reconsiderthe decision.

They said last year, despite the official wheat support price being set at Rs3,900 per 40kg, farmers were forced to sell their produce in the open market for as low as Rs2,500 per 40kg, resulting in financial losses.

The protesters demanded the restoration of official wheat procurement and a minimum support price of Rs4,000 per 40kg to safeguard farmers from further economic hardships.

SHOT DEAD: Four unidentified suspects killed a fruit vendor near Dhingranwali, Hafizabad, on Thursday and fled.

Reports said Gul Khan had set up a fruit cart near Dhingranwali Chowk when four unidentified armed men arrived in broad daylight. They opened fire on Gul Khan, who died on the spot, while the attackers managed to escape.