Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging immediate steps to ease difficulties faced by potato farmers, it was reported on Saturday.
In her letter, Maryam Nawaz emphasized accelerating potato exports through the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and requested the removal of barriers to exports.
She also appealed for a 25% special reduction in freight costs and procedural relaxations to facilitate shipments.
The letter highlighted the importance of accessing international markets, including the European Union, Africa, and the United States, and recommended other measures to support export growth.
Maryam Nawaz stated that these steps would not only alleviate financial pressures on farmers but also boost foreign exchange earnings and restore confidence in the agricultural sector.
On February 5, 2026, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, in a message posted on X, said that Punjab has achieved a historic milestone by recording 12 million metric tonnes of potato production during the current season.
She stated that potato output has increased by 25 per cent compared to last year, reflecting improved agricultural performance. The chief minister said the Punjab government is working to gain access to new international markets to promote potato exports.
She added that efforts are under way to ensure price stability and fair compensation for farmers through expansion into new export destinations. Significant progress has been made regarding potato exports to Kazakhstan, she said.
The chief minister further stated that the Punjab government remains in continuous contact with the federal government to ensure effective measures for potato exports. Provincial Minister for Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani will hold important meetings in Islamabad next week in this regard.
