News Desk
Lahore PR March 01, 2026
Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan staged a one-day peaceful hunger strike outside the Lahore Press Club on February 28 to protest what it described as an undemocratic system for filling reserved seats under the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
The demonstration called for reforms in the method used to allocate reserved seats for minorities, women, labourers, peasants, and youth in local governments. Organizers argued that the current system relies on a selection process rather than direct elections, which they said undermines democratic representation and limits the participation of marginalized communities.
Participants in the hunger strike included representatives from civil society groups, faith-based organizations, and minority advocacy platforms. Among those who addressed the gathering were Katherine Sapna Karamat, Executive Director of Christians’ True Spirit; Sajid Christopher, President of Human Friends Organization; Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director of WISE (Women in Struggle for Empowerment); Saeed Diep, Chairperson of Centre for Peace and Secular Studies; and Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Chairman of Pakistan Minorities Alliance.
Other speakers included Shahzad Imran Sahotra, President of Christian Tehreek‑e‑Bedari; Tariq Siraj, Chairman of Mutehida Masihi Party; Sabina Malik, member of the Central Executive Department of Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan; Asher Sarfraz, Chief Executive Officer of Christians’ True Spirit; Deedar Ahmed Mirani, Vice Chairman of Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan; Umar Farooq, the group’s Secretary General; Rana Muhammad Israel; Umair Ahmed Advocate, Senior Vice President of the organization; Shoaib Nabi Gill, an office bearer of Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf; Rev. Amjad Niamat of the Presbyterian Church of Pakistan; and Rev. Emmanuel Khokhar, spokesperson for the Church of Pakistan.
Through the hunger strike, organizers called for an immediate review of the current proportional representation system used to allocate reserved seats. They also demanded constitutional reforms to end the selection process for minority seats in national and provincial assemblies and instead allow minority voters to elect their representatives directly through ballots.
The protesters further urged the restoration of direct elections for minorities, women, labourers, peasants, and youth within the local government framework under the Punjab Local Government Act 2025.
According to the organizers, such reforms would help ensure transparency, fairness, and genuine democratic participation at the local level.
Addressing the gathering, Samson Salamat said the movement remains committed to non-violence and democratic principles. He called on civil society groups, media organizations, and citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening democratic processes and protecting fundamental rights in Pakistan.
The hunger strike concluded with participants reiterating their demand for reforms that would allow marginalized groups to elect their representatives directly rather than through nomination or selection processes.