Promoting participatory local governance in Pakistan

Context

Local institutions in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces struggle to deliver public services that meet citizens’ needs and address climate risks as well as related disasters. While decentralisation has increased the responsibilities of local authorities, limited financial resources and evolving governance structures hinder effective service delivery. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of inclusion of women, youth, and minorities in decision-making processes. Civil Society Organisations promote inclusive practices but face challenges due to excessive government regulation, policy shifts, and poor government coordination.

Objective

Local authorities in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces provide services that align more closely with the needs and priorities of citizens.

Approach

The programme focuses on the following areas of action:

• Improving local public services, including population registration, solid waste management, traffic systems, and market oversight;
• Supporting education and other public services in tribal areas through technical assistance;
• Implementing digital innovations to enhance citizen-government communication and local service delivery;
• Increasing local revenues by improving public financial management through digitisation, and developing new revenue sources;
• Encouraging diverse group involvement and improving local-provincial government coordination;
• Promoting climate-aware decision making and enhancing public financial planning;
• Enhancing civil society’s role in policy discussions and improving government engagement with civil society organisations.

Last update: March 2025