Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has declared a major escalation in its campaign against the recently enacted Punjab Local Government Act, with plans for simultaneous sit-in protests across every district of the province on December 21. The party's Pakistan Emir, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, made the announcement during a large protest rally held on Lahore's iconic Mall Road on Sunday.
Decrying a 'Black Law' and Centralization of Power
In a fiery address, Rehman launched a scathing attack on the new legislation, labeling it a "black law" that is both unconstitutional and anti-democratic. He argued that the act is designed to strip the public of its power and concentrate all authority within the provincial government and its bureaucracy.
"The so-called new system has completely reversed the concept of meaningful devolution," Rehman stated. He claimed the law deprives citizens of genuine self-governance at the grassroots level, which he described as a clear violation of the Constitution.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy of Resistance
The JI chief outlined a comprehensive strategy to challenge the act. Beyond the province-wide sit-ins on December 21, he announced that the party will file a legal challenge in the courts. He expressed hope that the judiciary would uphold its constitutional role, despite his concerns about institutional control.
Furthermore, Rehman directed JI workers to organize supporting demonstrations in Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to advocate for a truly empowered local government system nationwide. He also announced the establishment of people's courts and the continuation of protests at the neighborhood level.
Criticism of Non-Party Elections and Broader Governance
Rehman also criticized the planned non-party basis for the upcoming local government elections, warning that this would encourage post-poll horse-trading. He questioned which democratic system permits such elections and pointed out that Punjab has not held local government polls for a decade.
Taking aim at PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, Rehman highlighted a contradiction between the slogan of "respect the vote" and what he termed Sharif's entry into parliament through Form-47. He expanded his critique to Pakistan's overall governance structure, which he said remains dominated by a bureaucratic elite, the establishment, and dynastic parties, leaving the majority without basic services.
Protests were already held across Punjab following the JI chief's initial call. Key leaders addressed rallies in major cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujrat, Bahawalpur, and Sialkot. Significant demonstrations also took place in Vehari, Sahiwal, Okara, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Jhang, signaling widespread mobilization against the law.
