LAHORE: On the call of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, protest demonstrations were held across Punjab, including Lahore.
Protests were also staged in Faisalabad, Jhang, Sialkot, Okara, Sahiwal, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Wazirabad, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, Chiniot, Narowal and Pakpattan against what the party described “black local government law” introduced by Punjab government.
The rallies and gatherings were led by Jamaat-e-Islami’s central, provincial, district and local leaders. Participants carried banners and placards rejecting Local Government Act introduced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Protesters said they “completely reject” Punjab Local Government Act 2025, arguing it strengthens bureaucratic control instead of empowering elected representatives. They demanded local government elections be held on a party basis and that all administrative and financial powers be transferred to elected representatives.
They also called for direct election of union council chairmen and vice chairmen through secret ballots.
Addressing one of the protests, JI Punjab Ameer Javed Qasuri said current local government act is “anti-people and undemocratic”, claiming it brings neither transparency nor solutions to public problems. He criticised indirect election system for reserved seats, calling it a source of horse-trading, and urged women, labour, minority and youth representatives also be elected directly by citizens.
Protesters also demanded genuine powers be delegated to city governments and that government departments and bureaucracy be placed under local governments to ensure timely and transparent service delivery at grassroots level. They called for creation of metropolitan corporations in major cities instead of town corporations to meet modern urban governance requirements.
Javed Qasuri said JI would continue its struggle for people’s right to self-governance. He warned if government does not withdraw the law, protest movement will intensify across the province.
He said Punjab Local Government Act 2025 weakens public representation, places power in the hands of bureaucracy, and undermines effectiveness of local government system which party considers unacceptable. He urged government to amend controversial law, empower local bodies, and refrain from restricting authority of elected representatives.
