ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police fired tear gas and used water canon to disperse angry farmers, demanding their due right and relief in the federal budget, being presented.

Police arrested more than 20 farmers in their 50s, protesting under the auspices of Pakistan Kissan Ittehad, for pelting stones at the police at D-Chowk of the capital.

The police fired tear gas and used water canon to disperse them, moving them towards Jinnah Avenue. The farmers said they would not accept anti-farmers budget. “We will die even at the roads but will not endorse the budget,“ they asserted.

“Recommendations are presented in the budget but none of them are implemented,” said one of the protesters. “We work hard but cannot survive.”

They said policies for growers are formulated by those who do not even know about the basics of agriculture. The farmer demanded the government to abolish taxes on agriculture and fix the prices of commodities.

Moreover, Metro Bus service was suspended in the federal capital due to the protest.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Shah also joined the protest in solidarity with the framers.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah said farmers strengthen economy but they are not facilitated by the rulers.