Balochistan Government Lifts Urea Ban in 17 Districts Amid Farmer Protests

QUETTA: The Balochistan government has conditionally lifted the ban on the sale and purchase of urea fertiliser in 17 districts, as announced in an official notification on Monday evening. This decision comes after the ban, imposed in August due to concerns over its potential use by anti-state elements to create explosive devices, caused significant hardships for local farmers and led to protests in various regions of the province.

The notification, issued by the director general of extension at the Agriculture Department, permits the sale of urea in districts including Hub, Jaffarabad, Sohbatpur, Usta Muhammad, Jhal Magsi, Dera Bugti, Barkhan, Sibi, Kachhi, Khuzdar, Kharan, Loralai, Qila Saifullah, Quetta, Pishin, Kalat, and Panjgur, in addition to Nasirabad and Lasbela. Under the new directives, fertiliser dealers are required to adhere strictly to prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintain comprehensive records of sales to farmers.

The official notification emphasizes that any sale and purchase of urea fertiliser outside the established protocols is strictly prohibited. It warns that any parallel systems that contravene the newly prescribed protocols will be deemed illegal. This move aims to ensure that the fertiliser reaches the farmers who need it while preventing misuse.

As the agricultural sector in Balochistan grapples with the aftermath of the ban, the government’s decision to lift it conditionally is expected to alleviate some of the pressures faced by farmers. Officials from the Agriculture Department, along with deputy commissioners and law enforcement agencies, will oversee compliance with the new regulations to ensure that the fertiliser is used appropriately and effectively.