Lahore: On the call of Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, strong protest sit-ins were held at divisional centers of Central Punjab-Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, and Gujranwala-against the Punjab government's so-called 'black' local government law.These sit-ins were led by Jamaat-e-Islami's central, provincial, district, and local leaders, with a large number of citizens participating. The participants were carrying banners, placards, and pamphlets against the Local Government Act introduced by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, bearing slogans and demands.The protesters completely rejected the Punjab Local Government Act 2025, stating that instead of empowering public representatives, the law further strengthens the grip of bureaucracy. They demanded that local government elections be held on a party basis and that all powers be transferred to elected representatives. They also called for the direct election of Union Council chairmen and vice chairmen through direct and secret ballot.Addressing the sit-in, Liaqat Baloch said that the government is playing games with the people through the Local Government Act and wants to snatch the public's right to rule by concentrating all powers in its own hands. He said the government is unable to provide basic facilities such as education, health, and employment to the people, yet it continues to raise false slogans of development and prosperity and spend money on advertisements every day.Advocate Ziauddin Ansari said that under the Local Government Act 2025, the powers of public representatives have been taken away and handed over to the bureaucracy, which is unacceptable under any circumstances.Addressing the protest sit-in in Faisalabad, Naib Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Usama Razi said that the ruling people imposed on the country wants to retain not only power but all authority as well, and is bent on rendering the people powerless and helpless. He said that Punjab's Local Government Act is essentially a plan to extend control down to the grass roots level and to set up marketplaces for the buying and selling of elected councillors, Union Council chairmen, and vice chairmen.Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab, Muhammad Javed Qasuri, said that the current Local Government Act is anti-people and undemocratic. It will neither bring transparency nor resolve public issues. Terming indirect elections on reserved seats as a means of horse-trading, he demanded that representatives of women, labour, minorities, and youth should also be elected directly through the people's vote.During the public rallies, it was further demanded that city governments be granted real powers and that government institutions and the bureaucracy be placed under local governments so that public issues can be resolved promptly and transparently at the grassroots level. It was also demanded that instead of the town corporation system, a metropolitan corporation system be implemented for large cities to develop an administrative structure in line with modern urban needs.The speakers s aid that Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its struggle for the people's right to rule at every forum. If the government does not withdraw this law, the protest movement across the province will be intensified. They stated that the Punjab Local Government Act 2025 is a conspiracy to weaken public representation, place authority under the control of the bureaucracy, and render the local government system ineffective-something that cannot be accepted under any circumstances. They urged the government to act wisely, immediately introduce necessary amendments to this controversial law, empower local government institutions, and refrain from restricting the powers of elected representatives.Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami South Punjab, Syed Zeeshan Akhtar said that Article 140-A of the Constitution of Pakistan clearly guarantees that local governments shall be empowered and that provincial governments are bound to transfer powers and resources to them.These protests were announced by Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Nae emur Rehman, to be held at divisional headquarters across the country.In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the protests were staged to demand the restoration of the role and effectiveness of local government institutions, the release of required funds, provision of facilities, and the transfer of powers to the grassroots level. The protesters said that local government institutions in the province have been deliberately rendered ineffective, leading to an increase in public problems.In Punjab, the demonstrations were held against what the protesters termed the Punjab government's imposed and usurped local government system. In Karachi, protests highlighted demands for making local government institutions functional, ensuring the provision of funds, addressing administrative irregularities, and exposing alleged corruption in mayoral elections.In Sindh, protest demonstrations were held at all divisional headquarters, including Karachi and Hyderabad. As part of the nationwide protest call by Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, a yout h protest demonstration was held at the Karachi Press Club, which was addressed by Munem Zafar and other leaders.Muneem Zafar Khan said that the Pakistan Peoples Party's 17-year performance is a combination of incompetence, mismanagement, and corruption. He questioned why local government elections are not being held in Punjab and why the rulers in Sindh are afraid of transferring local government powers.