KARACHI: The Working Committee of the All-Pakistan Muslim League, when it met in Karachi on Monday [Aug 29] to consider the Agrarian Committee report, decided on: (1) Immediate abolition of hereditary Jagirs without any compensation; (2) Grant of proprietary rights to occupancy tenants; (3) Abolition of feudal and customary dues and cesses; (4) Security of tenure for tenants-at-will; (5) Replacement of batai with cash rental.

The Working Committee asked the Central and Provincial Governments to implement immediately the above decisions so that relief could be given to the “agriculturalists who are the backbone of Pakistan”. The abolition was also accepted in principle by the Committee which directed the Central and the Provincial Governments to take the necessary steps. The Working Committee passed the resolution after a four-hour discussion of the Daultana Committee Report… . It is learnt that … the Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, warned the “champions of zamindars” that the Lea­gue would brook no opposition … and if they did not mend [their ways] disciplinary action would be taken… .

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024