Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced that the party will stage sit-ins across Punjab and the rest of the country on December 21 in protest against the Punjab Local Government Act.

Addressing a demonstration in Lahore against the provincial legislation on Sunday, he said the government was misleading the nation by introducing laws and then challenging them.

He termed the Punjab Local Government Act a “black law”, alleging that it usurped the rights of cities and union councils.

The JI chief demanded that all powers be devolved to local governments, saying that tehsil administrations must be empowered.

JI to move court

“This is not a system of monarchs and kings where favours are granted at will,” he said, adding that the party would approach the courts against the law.

Hafiz Naeem accused feudal elites of having hijacked the entire system and protecting what he called an oppressive order.

He said those in power retained benefits within their own families while political workers who struggled for decades were denied leadership roles.

Family politics

Hafiz Naeem said that in our political system, a political worker works hard for 40 years but can never become the head of the party, but here the uncle is the prime minister and the niece is the chief minister.

The JI chief accuses political dynasties of lying to the public and tightening their grip on institutions.

He alleged that political families had also taken control of the judiciary and continued to grow stronger.

Public awareness

Hafiz Naeem stressed the need for greater public awareness about the Local Government Act.

He said that the Jamaat-e-Islami was the only party which had joined the people to dismantle the current system.

He criticised the government for allegedly removing banners that carried the public’s voice, questioning why such actions were being taken.

The JI chief also questioned former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s claim of respecting the vote, asking what kind of respect it was if rulers were seen installing plaques bearing their names on roads and underpasses.