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Saving Local Democracy in Pakistan PDF Print E-mail
Thursday, 22 October 2009 15:18

As the future of democratically elected local government in Pakistan hangs in the balance, leaders from across civil society, business and politics in Pakistan came together today in Islamabad to call for its protection. The LGA has joined counterparts in Canada and the Commonwealth Local Government Forum to lend its support in calling for the protection of local democracy.

Local Resident in Chunga Munga, Punjab Province (© Ivor Wells)

If that wasn't challenging enough, there is currently no national local government association in Pakistan.  The only organised voice for elected local government in recent years has been they newly created Local Councils Association of the Punjab (LCAP).  Since its inception, LCAP has become a leading national organisation both in its lobbying of provincial and national government, but also in paving the way for a louder voice for local democracy across the whole Pakistan.  In recent months a national grassroots movement has emerged to "Save Local Government" and the LCAP has helped coordinate public rallies across the country attended by tens of thousands of concerned citizens.  Thanks to the LCAP's leadership at national level, new local government associations have now been created in the other three provinces in Pakistan; Sindh, Baluchistan and the North-West Frontier Province.  And later in November a national LGA for the whole of Pakistan, which will bring together all 4 provinces will be officially launched. The voice of local democracy is indeed strengthening in Pakistan.  But many challenges still lie ahead.

On Thursday 22 October a National Convention on the Future of Local Democracy was held in Islamabad.  It brought together leaders and decision makers from across civil society, business and the political spectrum to call for the protection of local democracy for Pakistan's future.  These efforts are supported by local leaders from around the world, and along side the Commonwealth Local Government Forum and counterparts in Canada, the LGA's Cllr Richard Kemp have sent messages of support from London.  The international municipal family remains concerned about the future of local democracy in Pakistan and the UK is playing its part in calling for its protection.

 
 
Copyright © 2010 UK Local Government Alliance for International Development.