Tobacco growers urge review of policies, announce protest plan

SWABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Mar, 2026) Tobacco growers, dealers and small cigarette manufacturers here have urged the Federal government to review policies related to tobacco pricing and enforcement, while announcing a peaceful protest movement to highlight their concerns.

The demands were presented at a joint convention held under the chairmanship of Haji Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, attended by a large number of farmers and stakeholders from across the district.

Speakers, including Iqbal Khan of Shiva, emphasized that tobacco remained a key cash crop in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families. They called for balanced measures to ensure sustainability of the sector while addressing regulatory requirements.

Participants highlighted that the average tobacco price had been set at Rs 545 per kilogram last year, while for the current season it has been fixed at around Rs 520 per kilogram.

They requested authorities to consider the impact of rising input costs and review the pricing mechanism in consultation with stakeholders.

The speakers also called for facilitation of farmers during transportation and marketing of tobacco, and stressed the need for coordination between relevant institutions to ensure smooth business activities.

The convention expressed hope that the government would take notice of their concerns and resolve the issues through dialogue.

It was stated that, if needed, a peaceful protest including a long march towards Islamabad may be organized to draw attention to the demands.