ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Wednesday stated that local government elections in Islamabad have been delayed for the past three to four years under various pretexts.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he criticized the recent cutting of trees in the city and demanded that the government provide accountability for these actions.
Rehman described the claim of planting 40,000 new trees as misleading, saying, “What kind of action is this, cutting full-grown trees and replacing them with small saplings?”
He said the local government ordinance in Islamabad should be repealed, and elections should be held on February 15.
He also criticized the Punjab Local Government Act, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional.
According to the current law, Union Council chairmen will not be directly elected by the people. He warned that non-party elections in Punjab could lead to political manipulation similar to Senate-style arrangements, enabling the ruling elite to maintain control.
Rehman called for amendments to Punjab’s local government laws to allow elections on a party basis, ensuring fair and democratic representation.
