Balochistan Govt Lifts Urea Fertiliser Ban in 17 Districts

News Desk

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 misuse by anti-state elements for explosive devices, created significant hardships for local farmers and led to protests across the province.

The notification, issued by the director general of extension at the Agriculture Department, permits the conditional 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 or purchase of urea fertiliser outside the established protocols is strictly prohibited, and any parallel systems that contravene these protocols will be deemed illegal.

This move aims to ensure that the fertiliser reaches those who need it most while preventing its potential misuse.

As the agricultural sector in Balochistan grapples with the implications of this ban lift, farmers are hopeful that access to urea will enhance crop yields and alleviate some of the economic pressures they have faced.

The Agriculture Department, along with local law enforcement and deputy commissioners, will oversee compliance with the new regulations to ensure that the fertiliser is distributed appropriately.