Pakistani farmers destroy Iranian tomatoes, Says it affects their profit

Quetta: Tomatoes imported from Iran were attacked by farmers in the Kalat district of Balochistan. Protestors stopped the vehicle transporting the goods to either loot or destroy them.

Farm owners and growers were protesting in Mangochar town against importing tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan. They claimed that their locally grown products are ready for the market and imported products will affect their price.

They also blocked the Quetta-Karachi national highway by putting boulders and barricades. Protestors were seen chanting slogans against the government.

The Balochistan Zamindars Association that organised the protest claimed that they had nothing to do with looting and destroying the tomatoes. Representatives of the organisation condemned the actions and dissociated from the incident. "We have nothing to do with the incident. Our protest was peaceful."

Local farmers believe that they will face significant financial losses if tomatoes and other vegetables are imported from Iran and Afghanistan. The association had asked the government to halt importing goods until local tomato crops were on the market.

After heavy rain and flood affected Pakistan, the price of onion and tomatoes spiked. Large swathes of crops were affected by the catastrophic flood. Seeing the supply issue, the government allowed imports from neighbouring countries to lower the cost. Several trucks carrying tomatoes and onions arrive in Pakistan via Taftan and Chaman borders.