By Dr. Muhammad Fazl-ur-Rehman.
When nations recognize their true working class, the course of history changes. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Wednesday, December 24, emerged as a shining example of this awareness, acknowledgment, and resolve, when for the first time in the history of the Governor House Peshawar, the “Governor (KISSAN) Award” was organized under the leadership of Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi. This ceremony was not merely an awards program; it was a practical declaration of standing with the province’s farmers at the state level.
Held at the Governor House Peshawar, this historic ceremony was attended by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi as the chief guest. A total of 150 outstanding, hardworking, and principled farmers and landowners from across the province were honored with the Governor Farmers Award in recognition of their services. This marked the first occasion on which farmers of the province were collectively paid tribute at the gubernatorial level.
It is an established truth that the farmer is a silent warrior one who sows seeds in the soil and prays to the heavens. The reward for his labor is not merely a crop, but the future of the nation. This ceremony highlighted the reality that if farmers are strong, the province will be strong; and if agriculture is stable, the national economy will naturally stabilize. The Chinese philosopher Confucius aptly said: “If you plan for a year, plant crops; if you plan for centuries, empower the farmer.”
At the event, former Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Halim Khan Qasuria, Professor Dr. Amanullah of the University of Agriculture Peshawar, and Professor Dr. Muhammad Sajid spoke in detail on promoting agriculture in the province, protecting agricultural commodities, efficient water use, modern agricultural technology, and bringing barren lands under cultivation. Participants unanimously agreed that ignoring farmers in a province as rich in agricultural potential as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is tantamount to blocking the path of development. They paid rich tribute to Governor Faisal Karim Kundi for organizing the Farmers Award.
In his address, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi congratulated the award-winning farmers and stated that for the first time in history, farmers and landowners of the province are being honored with awards by the Governor. He clarified that the purpose of the Governor Farmers Award is to make farmers self-reliant and to transform agriculture into a profitable sector.
The Governor emphasized that it is an undeniable fact that if agriculture thrives, the national economy will also thrive. He expressed regret that despite the 1991 water-sharing plan, no effective project has yet been initiated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in this regard. He noted that developing land and ensuring the prosperity of farmers and landowners can also help eliminate terrorism and establish sustainable peace.
Faisal Karim Kundi urged both the federal and provincial governments to provide subsidies to small and large landowners on an equal basis, adding that he would send his recommendations to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stated that Pakistan is an agricultural country, agriculture is the backbone of the national economy, and bringing millions of acres of barren land under cultivation is the need of the hour. Especially in the southern districts, an agricultural revolution can be achieved through modern irrigation systems, adequate water supply, and government patronage.
The ceremony was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party’s Provincial President Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, Provincial Assembly members Karamatullah Chagharmatti, Arbab Zarak, Shazia Jadoon, Faiza Malik, Arifa Bibi, Aiman Jalil, Bahari Lal, Ashbar Jadoon, Mehr Sultana, Shazia Tahmash, Farzana Shireen, former Provincial Minister Sardar Abdul Halim Qasuria, President of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Junaid Altaf, Chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farzand Wazir, representatives of sponsoring organizations, and a large number of farmers from across the province.
Special shields were presented to representatives of sponsoring institutions, including Usman Sharif (Fatima Fertilizer), Hazrat Gul (Bank of Khyber), Lal Hussain (Regional Incharge, Zarai Taraqiati Bank), Sarfaraz Hussain (Habib Bank Limited), Syed Asad Kakakhel (National Bank of Pakistan), Fahad Waheed (Fauji Supreme Cooking Oil), Ishtiaq Alam (OGDCL), Sajjad Hussain (Al-Maiz Industries), and Junaid Altaf (Fedroo Pharma / Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry).
A notable feature of the ceremony was the draw through which two farmers, Ghafoor Damani and Zohaib Khan, were awarded Umrah tickets, a beautiful example of acknowledging the spiritual dignity of farmers.
Furthermore, the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa personally presented sponsorship cheques to two emerging sports talents—national Under-19 squash champion Abdullah Nawaz and Mahwish Ali—demonstrating that the current leadership believes not only in supporting agriculture but also in the all-round patronage of youth talent.
The Governor Farmers Award ceremony truly marks the beginning of a new tradition—one in which farmers are honored not just in speeches, but through practical measures. This day will be remembered in the history of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the resolve that the foundations of development here will not be glass buildings, but green fields.
Undoubtedly, this initiative reaffirms the truth that a strong farmer is the guarantee of a strong Pakistan.
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