LAHORE - Criticising Punjab Governments wheat procurement drive, Information Secretary Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Omar Sarfraz Cheema has demanded minimising the role of middleman and giving due rights and price of the commodity to the growers. In a statement issued here on Tuesday, he said the farmers did a remarkable service for the nation by getting good yield despite acute water shortage and loadshedding but now the middlemen were out to get the fruit. Omar Cheema went on to say the rulers had left no money with the government to procure wheat, thus leaving the growers on the mercy of middlemen. As a result of wrong policies of the rulers, the government was now resorting to seek loans from commercial banks. Such policies of the provincial government would damage the next crop besides causing a severe blow to an already flailing national economy. He further demanded the government should increase the number of procurement centers, which should operate round the clock to facilitate the hard-hit farmers. PTI protests loadshedding, price-hike Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Allama Iqbal Town, on Tuesday organised a rally from Najaf Colony to Bhekewal Mor to protest against unscheduled loadshedding, price-hike, unemployment and raise in petroleum products. PTI Lahore President Mehmood-ur-Rasheed led the rally that was largely attended by political activists and people from various walks of life. The participants were carrying placards and banners inscribed with the demands of ending loadshedding, creating job opportunities and decreasing prices of essential commodities and petroleum products. They also chanted slogans against the rulers. Addressing the participants of the rally, Mehmood-ur-Rasheed said people had come out on roads to raise voice for their rights. Holding the government responsible for the prevailing situation, he said instead of giving relief to the masses, the rulers were busy in foreign tours. He said the PTI would continue to raise voice for the rights of the masses.