MULTAN, Nov 20 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Friday that government has withdrawn recent raise in tubewell tariff to benefit the agriculture sector and ensure farmers’ prosperity.Talking to newsmen at the local airport, FM said that during a cabinet meeting he had informed the Prime Minister about the raise in agriculture tubewell electricity tariff from Rs 4 per unit to Rs 6.45 per unit.The matter was then discussed  and PM directed Ministry for Water and Power to withdraw the notification.

The ministry has withdrawn the notification, FM added.

Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the cabinet had enhanced paddy procurement target up to one million ton. He said that a committee headed by the Prime Minister would be formed that will get briefings from the departments concerned on progress regarding paddy procurement.

FM said that situation in domestic and international market was conducive for cotton farmers who can get a good price for their produce.

He said that world cotton production is expected to face six percent reduction due to low production in China and India while worldwide cotton requirement is expected to register a three per cent high this year as compared to last year. China is expected to register a reduction by 10 million ton than what it had produced last year, FM said.

Cotton production target in Pakistan was also readjusted at 12.1 million bales against a domestic requirement of 16 to 17 million bales. All this indicate that growers can get a good bargain and should sell their cotton while keeping in view the favourable situation, FM said.