LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday urged the government to hold transparent elections based on proportional representation, calling it the most effective way to free politics from feudalism, tribal influence, and money power.
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Addressing a reception at Minar-i-Pakistan Ground for organisers and workers of a recent public gathering, Hafiz Naeem criticised the police and justice systems, saying the thana-kutchery set-up served only the powerful and failed ordinary citizens. He stressed that comprehensive police reforms were urgently needed.
The JI chief announced nationwide sit-ins on December 21 in support of an empowered local government system. He also hinted at reorganising the party’s protest movement against agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), urging the government to resolve the issue before launching renewed agitation.
Hafiz Naeem said the recent public gathering marked the start of a countrywide struggle against an outdated political system. He announced plans to form 50,000 public committees and enrol five million new members within the next year, combining protest movements with constructive initiatives aimed at reform.
Highlighting youth-focused programmes, he described the Z-Connect initiative as a revolutionary step, offering training in information technology, vocational skills, interest-free loans for small businesses, expanded sports opportunities, and moral and character-building training.
The JI chief emphasised the importance of local governments, criticising major political parties for being dominated by families and personalities and ignoring grassroots democracy. He cited Punjab’s new local government law as an example, saying family-run parties were unwilling to devolve power to the people.
Rehman questioned accountability for those violating the Constitution and democracy, while reiterating the Jamaat’s commitment, with youth support, to continue its struggle against the outdated system and its patrons.