Islamabad, January 14, 2026: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab, Dr. Tariq Saleem, on Wednesday announced that a province-wide referendum against the Punjab Local Government Act will begin from January 15, with referendum camps to be set up at key locations across all districts of Punjab to ensure maximum public participation.
Addressing a review meeting on preparations for the four-day referendum, Dr. Tariq Saleem said camps would be established in streets, neighbourhoods, squares, intersections, markets, and educational institutions to facilitate widespread public involvement. He added that independent and autonomous referendum commissions have been formed at both central and district levels to ensure a transparent and smooth voting process.
Through the referendum, Dr. Tariq Saleem said, the opinions of millions of citizens across Punjab will be sought on the Punjab Local Government Act. He termed the new local government system a direct attack on the democratic and constitutional rights of the people, arguing that public issues cannot be effectively addressed unless local government institutions are granted complete financial, administrative, and political autonomy.
Criticising the provincial government, he alleged that it has effectively stripped the public of decision-making powers by placing local government institutions under bureaucratic control. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its vigorous campaign against the law and would press the government to withdraw it.
Dr. Tariq Saleem further stated that the law has transferred administrative, financial, and decision-making authority from elected representatives to the bureaucracy, which he described as lacking constitutional justification. He warned that bureaucratic control over local governments undermines transparency and weakens public service delivery.
Referring to constitutional principles, he said power must be devolved to elected representatives at the grassroots level, whereas the current law seeks to centralise authority instead of transferring it. He demanded immediate amendments to the Local Government Act, restoration of direct elections of mayors and chairmen, and full authority for elected representatives to utilise development funds.
In conclusion, Dr. Tariq Saleem called for constitutional protection of local government institutions and the establishment of empowered, transparent, and active local governments across Punjab to ensure effective service delivery and genuine devolution of power to the grassroots level.
