By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: – Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan staged a One-Day peaceful Hunger Strike on February 28, 2026 in front of the Lahore Press Club to protest the undemocratic, unfair and unjust selection system for reserved seats for minorities, women, labour and youth in the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
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This Hunger Strike is a protest against the appointment of representatives on reserved seats for minorities, women, labour/peasants, and youth through a selection process rather than direct elections, which undermines democratic principles and marginalizes vulnerable communities.
The Hunger Strike has participated and addressed by prominent social, religious and social personalities belonging to different faiths, religions and walks of life including Katherine Sapna Karamat (Executive Director Christians’ True Spirit), Sajid Christopher (President Human Friends Organization), Bushra Khaliq (Executive Director WISE), Saeed Diep (Chairperson Centre for Peace and Secular Studies), Tahir Naveed Chaudhary (Chairman, Pakistan Minorities Alliance), Shahzad Imran Sahotra (President Christian Tehreek e Bedari), Tariq Siraj (Chairman Mutehida Masihi Party), Sabina Malik (Member CED Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan), Asher Sarfraz (CEO Christians’ True Spirit), Deedar Ahmed Mirani (Vice Chairman Rwadari Tehreek), Umar Farooq (Secretary General Rwadari Tehreek), Rana Muhammed Israel, Umair Ahmed Advocate (Senior Vice President Rwadari Tehreek), Shoaib Nabi Gill (Office bearer Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf), Rev. Amjad Niamat (Presbyterian Church of Pakistan) and Rev. Emmauel Khokhar (Spokesperson Church of Pakistan).
Through this Hunger Strike, we demand
Immediate review of the current system of proportional representation
. Constitutional Amendment to end selection system on the reserved seats for minorities in the National and provincial Assemblies, awarding democratic right to the voters to elect their representatives (MNAs & MPAs) on reserved seats as per their will through ballot.
Restoration of direct elections for minorities, women, labourers, peasants, and youth in the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
Assurance of genuine political process, transparency, fairness, and democratic representation in the local government framework.
Addressing the hunger strike, Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan Chairman Samson Salamat emphasized their commitment to non-violence and democratic values and urged civil society, media, and citizens to stand in solidarity for democratic advancement and protection of fundamental rights.
