In a move that has raised eyebrows both domestically and internationally, Pakistan’s formidable military, which wields substantial sway over the nation’s political and foreign policy landscape, is poised to expand its footprint into the agricultural sector. Reports from Nikkei Asia have disclosed plans for the Pakistan Army to assume control of vast tracts of government-owned land to bolster food production. While the intention to enhance food security is commendable, the military’s deepening involvement in civilian affairs has sparked apprehensions.
The decision, as outlined in the report, entails the acquisition of up to one million acres, equivalent to 405,000 hectares, of land within the eastern Punjab province. To put this into perspective, this expanse dwarfs the size of Delhi threefold and surpasses Beijing’s Forbidden City by approximately 5,500 times. This vast tract of land is said to be situated in the arid Cholistan Desert, a region prone to water scarcity.
Additional documents cited by Nikkei Asia reveal that an additional 110,000 acres of land in adjacent districts are also earmarked for transfer to military control. This transfer will occur through lease agreements spanning up to three decades. The army intends to cultivate cash crops such as wheat, cotton, and sugarcane, alongside the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. Impressively, 20 percent of any generated profits will be allocated to funding agricultural research and development, with the remainder to be divided equally between the military and state government, as per the leaked government documents.
The primary cause for concern revolves around the potential consolidation of the Pakistan Army’s status as the largest landowner in the country, a title that could have otherwise been allocated to address the needs of 25 million impoverished rural households. Opposition to this land transfer materialized when the matter was brought before the Lahore High Court, albeit with an eventual overturning of the initial ruling in July.
Tasked with overseeing the farming operations in these barren lands is a modest firm named Fongrow, an integral component of an army conglomerate designed to provide employment opportunities for retired military personnel. According to Fongrow’s claims on its website, the firm has already demonstrated its capabilities with a 2,250-acre corporate farm in Punjab, boasting remarkable crop yield enhancements of up to 135 percent.
Controversy surrounds the question of whether any of the land in question was previously under cultivation or owned by small-scale landholders. Fongrow’s manager, Muhammad Zahid Aziz, has rebuffed such concerns, asserting that the land in question is barren and hence devoid of any dislocation of existing farmers.
In defense of the military’s foray into agriculture, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations, cited the pressing challenge of food security in Pakistan. He noted that other nations, both developed and developing, have enlisted their military forces to bolster agricultural sectors and enhance cultivability. The ultimate decision regarding the military’s role in optimizing agricultural land, he emphasized, rests with the provincial and federal governments.
The Pakistan Army’s burgeoning involvement in the agricultural sector, while ostensibly aimed at bolstering food security, raises critical questions about the extent of military influence in civilian affairs. As Pakistan grapples with complex challenges, including poverty and food security, the militarization of key sectors demands careful scrutiny and consideration.
