ADLG: Strengthening Local Government Toward Democracy in Pakistan
ON 30 April 2016, local governments and their associations in Pakistan celebrated a move in its democratic sphere with the establishment of the National Local Governments Association, given the name “Association for Development of Local Governance (ADLG).” ADLG is the alliance formed from four provincial local council associations: Balochistan, KP, Sindh and Punjab, two of which are currently members of UCLG ASPAC. Members of the boards of governors of all the provincial associations, the past and present elected representatives of local governments, media and civil society representatives attended this ceremony. Key speakers put emphasis on the importance of government recognition towards local government institutions as the third tiers of government, and which are fundamental in strengthening and exercising democratic processes. In her video message, Dr. Bernadia Irawati Tjandradewi, Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC congratulated local governments in Pakistan on ADLG’s establishment and hoped the alliance would help local governments in the country, especially for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On behalf of UCLG ASPAC, she also expressed her full support for the operation and functions of ADLG and wished for its success.
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Anwar Hussain, Chief Executive of Local Councils Association of the PunjabPakistan, on his mail to the Secretary General, acknowledged this organization’s role in supporting local government heading to democracy. ADLG is currently seeing to become a member of UCLG ASPAC.