Jamaat-e-Islami Demands Empowered Local Government System

Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a comprehensive national agenda to address Pakistan's governance crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for an empowered local government system. During a recent press conference, the party highlighted the systemic failures affecting the country's political and economic stability, urging a national dialogue to establish priorities that safeguard the Constitution and ensure public welfare.

Advocating for Local Government and Democratic Reform

A primary concern raised by Jamaat-e-Islami is the absence of a functional local government system across the provinces and in Islamabad. The party pointed out that Punjab has been deprived of local government elections for fifteen years, while the residents of Islamabad face repeated legal changes that obstruct their right to elect local representatives. In Balochistan, specifically the Quetta district, the party noted that despite institutions completing their terms, the public has not been granted the right to elect their own local bodies.

The party asserts that the current hybrid system has failed, citing the dominance of certain institutions over parliament and the democratic process as a source of ongoing crisis. Jamaat-e-Islami believes that restoring the credibility of the parliamentary system requires impartial elections conducted by a powerful and independent Election Commission. They expressed concern over the delay in appointing a new Chief Election Commissioner, urging both the government and opposition to follow the constitutional procedure.

National Agenda for Political and Economic Stability

To resolve the prevailing political crises, the Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami, Siraj-ul-Haq, has proposed a national agenda focused on consensus and stability. The party advocates for the protection of the Constitution of Pakistan as a strong social contract and calls for the removal of amendments made in bad faith. Furthermore, they emphasize that an independent judiciary is essential for providing justice to the 250 million citizens of the country.

On the economic front, Jamaat-e-Islami stresses that self-reliance and the elimination of corruption at the leadership level are the only sustainable paths to stability. The party is actively campaigning for the complete removal of the petroleum levy per liter to reduce production costs. They argue that supporting the domestic agricultural and industrial sectors is the only way to ensure that households thrive and the general public receives genuine economic relief.

Combatting Terrorism and National Unity

The party also addressed the security situation, noting the destabilizing efforts of foreign actors and the persistence of terrorism. Jamaat-e-Islami calls for a unified national action plan based on consensus to eliminate terrorism effectively. They believe that while security forces are making significant sacrifices, a wider gap of distrust between the public and state institutions must be bridged to ensure lasting peace.

Public Mobilization and the Super Long March

Jamaat-e-Islami is currently engaged in nationwide protests and public outreach, including rallies in Karachi and Hyderabad. The party is organizing a "Super Long March" from Multan to Islamabad to demand economic relief for the people. They have collected signatures and petitions from millions of citizens to highlight the distress caused by government indecision and the burden of IPPs.

While acknowledging a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding potential negotiations, the party clarified that it will not accept minor concessions. They demand full relief for the public and the complete elimination of the petroleum levy. The party stated that while they welcome peaceful protests by other political entities, such as PTI, their own struggle is specifically aimed at economic liberation and the stability of the national economy.