Maryam Nawaz says initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural sector and empower farmers through modern mechanisation
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 1st, 2026) Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the distribution of 50,000 tractors to farmers over the next three years, marking what officials describe as the largest tractor support programme in Punjab’s history.
Speaking at a meeting of the provincial agriculture department, Maryam Nawaz said the initiative aims to strengthen the agricultural sector and empower farmers through modern mechanisation.
She stated that farmers in Punjab are being made financially stronger through practical support measures, adding that no previous government had introduced tractor assistance on such a large scale.
During the meeting, officials reviewed progress on the Kisan Card programme and agricultural mechanisation initiatives. A briefing informed the chief minister that interest-free loans worth Rs360 billion have so far been disbursed to farmers.
Officials said the recovery rate under the Kisan Card programme remained at an impressive 99 percent. Around 80 percent of the loans issued under the scheme were used by farmers to purchase fertilisers. Authorities also noted that urea prices have remained stable over the past two and a half years.
Meanwhile, employees of the Suthra Punjab Authority staged protests at multiple locations in Lahore over salary deductions and non-payment of Eid bonuses.
Workers suspended operations and staged a sit-in at Gajjumata, while garbage collection vehicles were also taken off the roads. Protests were also reported in the Wahga area.
The protesting employees said they were promised Eid bonuses but did not receive them along with their salaries. They claimed they worked around the clock during Eid in extreme heat to maintain cleanliness across the city.
The workers warned that demonstrations would continue if salary deductions were not reversed and bonuses remained unpaid.
A project manager said salaries had been released a day earlier, adding that payments were delayed due to budget-related issues.
