SWABI: The Swabi Action Committee (SAC) has urged Pakistan Tobacco Board (PTB) to ensure the effective implementation of the tobacco marketing rules to help stop exploitation of growers by purchasing companies and dealers.

Speaking to mediapersons here the other day, SAC leaders said a delegation of the committee led by Masood Jabbar met the PTB chairman in Peshawar the other day, informing him that the farmers, who were the primary production unit of tobacco, were being exploited by the buyers, especially small tobacco companies and dealers, due to a flawed procurement system.

On the occasion, Mr Jabbar, a former provincial deputy general secretary of Qaumi Watan Party, said they raised issues regarding irregularities in the procurement process, a lack of implementation of the rules approved by the board, and a flawed grading system.

Mr Jabbar said due to the non-implementation of the relevant rules and regulations, farmers suffered huge financial losses every year.

He said the PTB officials assured the SAC delegation, which also included representatives of tobacco growers, that they would effectively implement the approved grading system, government rates and rules and regulations to ensure that the entire procurement process was transparent, fair and farmer-friendly.

He said the SAC delegation also demanded that complaints related to tobacco procurement be investigated transparently, impartially and promptly, and effective action be taken against elements violating the laws.

Mr Jabbar said the action committee and the Pakhtunkhwa Farmers Jirga would be forced to hold a vigorous and peaceful protest in front of the PTB office if it failed to honour its commitments.

He said that no compromise would be made on the rights, self-respect and economic interests of tobacco farmers, and that a strong voice would continue to be raised at every constitutional, legal and democratic forum to realise their legitimate rights.

Meanwhile, tobacco growers have alleged that while multinational companies slashed their purchasing quota, the national companies failed to strike agreements with them as per the PTB rules.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2026