The Pakistan Business Forum (PBF) has called for the imposition of an agricultural emergency in the upcoming fiscal year, citing the government’s "failure" to adequately support the sector.
Reacting to the National Economic Survey 2024–25, PBF Chief Organiser Ahmad Jawad said that with a more effective strategy, the agricultural sector could have performed significantly better. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to declare an agricultural emergency, warning that without addressing core issues on a priority basis, the agricultural crisis cannot be averted.
According to the PBF, the government's target for agricultural growth was a modest 2%, which was not achieved. The actual growth rate stood at only 0.56%, which the forum described as a clear indication of the government's "failure".
The PBF said that the Ministry of Finance had acted as a barrier to agricultural development.
"Declining agricultural output poses a serious threat to the national economy. Cotton ginning recorded negative growth of 19%," the PBF stated.
