Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a nationwide protest on December 21, signaling a new phase of political agitation against the erosion of democracy at the grassroots level and poor governance.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman strongly criticised the newly passed Punjab Local Government Act, calling it a setback for democratic representation. He said that local governments have been deliberately weakened, with the last local government elections in Punjab being held in 2015.
The JI leader accused the ruling authorities of centralising power and ignoring elected local representatives. “The government is afraid of even the city mayor, fearing that an empowered mayor could challenge the chief minister,” he remarked, adding that slogans of respecting the vote fall flat when ordinary workers and citizens are denied participation.
Hafiz Naeem also questioned the government’s claims of effective governance, especially on the occasion of Farmers’ Day, asking what tangible relief has been provided to the agriculture sector. He highlighted the rising prices of fertilizers in Pakistan compared to neighboring India, calling it evidence of policy failure.
Political experts believe the criticism reflects a broader frustration with the absence of local governance. According to analysts, local governments are essential for service delivery and accountability, and their prolonged absence has widened the trust gap between citizens and the state.
Experts further say that Jamaat-e-Islami’s protest call could resonate with urban and rural voters alike, especially amid rising concerns over inflation, farmers’ distress and governance transparency.
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