1. Local Councils Association of the Punjab, Pakistan Experiences and Challenges

2. Background  Launched in July 2006  Total membership of 3,643 local governments (District, Tehsil/Town and Union)  Forum for sharing of experiences  Network for women and minority councilors to mainstream their concerns and representation  Vehicle to support capacity building efforts  Platform for advocacy with higher levels of government

3. Experiences  Significant ownership among local government stakeholders  Initial acceptance by the federal and provincial governments  Recognition at international level (member of UCLG and CLGF)  Successfully resolved councilors’ honorarium issue with provincial government  Invited to and participated in policy dialogues and consultations about the LG system

4. Inter-governmental Relationships  District Executive & Tehsil Liaison Committees responsible for managing relationships among the three tiers of local governments  Presidential Commission mandated to develop and maintain relations with provincial and local governments  Board of Governors and Executive Committee responsible for public/media relations and international networking

5. Challenges  Provincial government’s efforts to roll back the existing local government system as considered legacy of previous regime (1999 - 2007)  Provincial government’s undue interference in the functioning of local governments  Consultations with key stakeholders held but recommendations to improve system not honored  Legal protection to the local government system expires on December 31, 2009