SWABI, July 12: Scores of tobacco growers on Thursday marched around 20 miles through the city against Pakistan Tobacco Board and national and multinational companies over refusal to increase the price of the produce.

Swabi Qaumi Mahaz, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf leaders and workers also participated in the march, which was staged on the call of Kashthkar Coordination Council (KCC).

Led by patron-in-chief of KCC Arif Khan, president Mohammad Azam and general secretary Liaquat Yusufzai, protesters first gathered in Jaganat area and then marched from there to Adina Bridge on Swabi-Mardan Road.

They also passed through tobacco fields on coaches, motorcycles, pickups and cars amid placards inscribed with slogans against PTB and companies.

Protesters criticised the ruling Awami National Party for closing its eyes to their misery.

During the march, traffic on Swabi-Mardan Road remained suspended to the inconvenience of motorists, motorcyclists, transporters and commuters.

KCC patron-in-chief Arif Khan later told protesters that the council had decided to continue with the protest until growers were offered the sought-after price for their produce.

“Growers have decided that instead of selling tobacco at the unreasonable price of Rs117 per kilogramme, they will set their crop on fire,” he said.

KCC general secretary Yusufzai said the council had been fighting for the rights of tobacco growers for the last seven months and would continue doing so until the needful was done.

KCC president Mohammad Azam blamed the crisis on tobacco companies and PTB and said buyers won’t be allowed to purchase tobacco from growers at low price. He said the deadlock between growers and tobacco companies would continue until a third party step in and help resolve the tobacco price issue.

“This role could be played well by PTB but it appears to be unwilling to do so,” he said.

KCC leaders said they would announce future course of action shortly. Protesters later dispersed peacefully.