Growers critcise PTB for failing to purchase surplus tobacco

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SWABI: The Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) has failed to adopt a strategy to purchase surplus tobacco from growers despite the passage of 36 days since the regular buying season ended, it was learnt. Sources in multinational and national companies said that tobacco purchasing was stopped on Sept 15 as the firms had completed their quota for the current year announced by PTB. The sources said PTB’s role in handling tobacco affairs is critical, but its officials always toe the line of companies, leaving the poor growers high and dry. They said it was the responsibility of the Federal Ministry of National Food Security and Research and PTB to devise a strategy binding all national and multinational companies to buy tobacco from farmers in accordance with the rules. However, they said the companies were adopting delaying tactics or were not at all interested in buying the surplus tobacco from growers. Meanwhile, Kashtkar Ittehad Association members said that the surplus tobacco was being purchased at Rs545 per kilogramme compared to over Rs700 per kg during the regular buying period, allowing companies and traders to earn millions at the cost of poor farmers. Iqbal Khan Shewa, the association’s patron-in-chief, told Dawn that both companies and traders exploited the weak financial position of tobacco growers. The sources said the business community and small cigarette manufacturers continued to exploit the prevailing uncertain environment, purchasing tobacco from growers at low prices. They said poor farmers didn’t have any arrangements to store tobacco, forcing them to sell their produce at throwaway rates. Imran Khan, a grower from Maneri Bala region, said: “Officials of the companies and tobacco entrepreneurs are well aware of the fact that the financial position of growers is feeble as they neither have the resources nor arrangements to store the crop.” When contacted, PTB secretary Fakhruddin told Dawn that they would soon start purchasing surplus tobacco from growers. Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026

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