Radio Pakistan' latest: Punjab's ruling SAD government is anti-farmer!

Amritsar, June 10 : While India and Pakistan governments are taking many initiatives to develop warm relations , Radio Pakistan is making all attempts to try that the efforts do not succeed.

Radio Pakistan's programme Punjabi Darbar, which is heard along the border, continues its efforts to create misunderstanding between the two nations.

The latest story put out by Radio Pakistan says that the Shiromani Akali Dal-led Government in Punjab has been adopting various anti-farmer policies after being pressurised Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), its political ally in the State.

In an exclusive interview to Asian News International, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sarchand Singh said that the allegation is laughable. "These allegations are baseless. We all know that the Shiromani Akali Dal is farmer's party. In this party, there are representatives from all the religions -- Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. There are farmers, traders, and farm-workers. Together they are the strength of the party," said Sarchand Singh.

"Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Singh Badal, recently persuaded the Central Government to increase the minimum support price for wheat from rupees 750 to 1,000 per quintal. The Punjab Government has compensated farmers with Rs.2,500 per acre who have their land beyond border and could not cultivate anything there," said Sarchand Singh. broadcaster, like a newspaper, is expected to be objective. This is sadly missing in the Radio Pakistan's Punjabi Darbar programme, which specializes in broadcasting diatribe against India.

"Radio Pakistan's main aim is to create divisions among the people of Punjab. But they will never be successful in their strategy," Sarchand Singh pointed out.

"The statements made in the broadcasts are not factual. Hence, they do not have any impact in India. The government of India as well as Punjab's ruling Akali Government is working for public welfare," Singh said.

"We don't have any ill feelings against Pakistan. We have always tried our level best to improve relations with Pakistan and in future too we will continue to do so," said the Akali leader Sarchand Singh.

ANI