Lahore
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has announced that a nationwide public referendum will be held on January 15 in support of an empowered local government system.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Tuesday, Rehman said that following the referendum, JI will encircle the Punjab Assembly to protest the recently introduced Punjab Local Government Act, which he termed a “black law.” He called for the immediate withdrawal of the law and demanded the transfer of all powers to local governments in line with Article 140-A of the Constitution, along with the timely holding of local government elections in Punjab.
Rehman warned against any attack on the “nursery of democracy,” criticising the ruling elite for attempting to turn union councils into a marketplace of power. He said the party had challenged the law in courts and would also take the matter to the “court of the people,” urging the public, especially the youth, to actively participate in JI’s movement for empowered local governments.
He criticised the PML-N government, saying the slogan of “respect the vote” had been exposed during general elections. Rehman condemned plans to hold non-party-based local government elections, asserting that JI would not remain silent over attacks on the people’s mandate.
Independent referendum commissions will be formed at the central and provincial levels to seek the opinions of millions of citizens. Rehman also called on the Chief Election Commissioner to fulfil his constitutional responsibility by conducting local government elections. He added that JI would contest elections in all union councils of Punjab and was confident of achieving significant success, noting that the movement for systemic change would intensify.
On the national and provincial situation, Rehman said governance in Punjab had collapsed, with the education and health sectors in disarray, and criticised the sale of 14,000 schools in the province. At the federal level, he lamented that PIA had effectively been sold at the price of a single aircraft.
Regarding foreign affairs, Rehman accused the United States of backing Israel’s agenda and warned Pakistan not to position its armed forces against Hamas or the Palestinian people, nor send troops to Gaza. He also highlighted the devastation in occupied Kashmir and called on Pakistan’s armed forces to play their role there.
The press conference was attended by senior JI leaders, deputy emirs, provincial emirs, district leadership, and political committee members from across the country.
