A farmers’ organisation and former Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani have expressed concerns over government policies and security-related measures in Mastung, warning of their impact on agriculture, livelihoods and local communities.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Zamindar Action Committee responded to recent remarks by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti regarding the cutting of orchards and displacement of residents due to the security challenges government is facing in the region. The committee said responsibility for maintaining law and order rests with the state and urged authorities not to place the burden of security challenges on farmers.
The committee’s central spokesperson said farmers across Balochistan were already facing a severe agricultural crisis due to prolonged drought, irregular rainfall patterns, declining groundwater levels and ongoing water shortages. According to the organisation, these factors have significantly affected farming and horticulture across the region.
The spokesperson added that growers were also struggling with rising production costs, including electricity, diesel, fertilisers, seeds and agricultural chemicals, while low market prices for agricultural products were increasing financial pressure on farming communities.
The committee further argued that imports of fruits and vegetables from neighbouring countries were affecting local producers by reducing market prices for domestic agricultural goods. It called on the government to review its import policies and introduce measures aimed at protecting local farmers.
The organisation also criticised proposals for additional agricultural taxes, saying authorities should instead focus on providing relief measures, affordable electricity, improved water management, modern irrigation systems and fair market prices for agricultural products.
According to the committee, orchards and agricultural land are central to the economy of many rural areas in Balochistan, and any further decline in the sector would affect not only farmers but also labourers, transport workers, traders and others connected to agricultural production.
The group urged the government to improve security conditions in Mastung and elsewhere in Balochistan, provide protection to farmers and consult agricultural organisations before implementing policies affecting orchards and crop production.
Separately, former Balochistan chief minister and current provincial assembly member Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani criticised reported measures affecting orchards and residents in Mastung and other parts of Balochistan.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, Raisani alleged that the cutting of fruit orchards, displacement of residents and destruction of homes and livelihoods appeared to be part of a policy that risked alienating local communities and tribal groups.
Referring to past military operations in other regions of Pakistan, including North and South Waziristan, Upper Dir, Lower Dir and Shangla, Raisani argued that similar measures had not resulted in lasting peace. Instead, he said, such operations had led to displacement, destruction and prolonged hardship for affected communities.
Raisani further stated that while military force could impose temporary calm, lasting peace could only be achieved through political engagement, dialogue and negotiated solutions.
The statements come amid ongoing security concerns in Mastung, where authorities have cited security challenges in recent weeks. Government officials have maintained that measures taken in affected areas are aimed at addressing security threats and restoring stability. However, critics have expressed concern about the impact of such policies on local communities and economic activity.