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The government is considering two key proposals to ease the financial burden on farmers hit hard by recent floods. Officials said the relief measures include rescheduling loans or possibly writing them off at Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL).
During a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, cabinet members pressed for urgent action to support ZTBL borrowers. They argued that debt relief should go beyond rescheduling and also include waivers on interest payments. ZTBL, a state-owned bank, serves as a major source of credit for the agriculture sector.
Ministers warned that wheat growers, already struggling with low prices during the 2024–25 crop season, may avoid planting again this year unless the government intervenes. They pushed for reviving the support price mechanism but cautioned that announcing rates too early could encourage hoarding. They also stressed the need to consult farmers directly before making any policy changes.
At the same time, the cabinet emphasized that agriculture and climate policy remain primarily under provincial responsibility. For this reason, any new programs must involve provincial coordination and financial contributions. With limited federal resources, members insisted that any emergency package should connect directly to practical plans that combine farmer relief with climate resilience.
Looking ahead, ministers laid out a dual approach. In the short term, the government must deliver immediate assistance to flood-affected farmers. In the long term, however, reforms are needed to confront the growing threat of climate change to agriculture. To achieve this, ministers called for an urgent meeting of the Pakistan Climate Change Council, established under the 2017 Climate Change Act, to design a coordinated response with broad stakeholder input.
Population growth was also identified as a serious challenge. Ministers argued that rising numbers are straining limited resources and intensifying climate risks. To address these pressures, they proposed forming a high-level committee led by the planning minister. The committee, which would include provincial chief secretaries, would be tasked with mapping out clear steps to tackle both agricultural and climate emergencies.
