Quetta, February 27, 2025: The Local Councils Association of Balochistan (LCA Balochistan) and the Association for Development of Local Governance (ADLG) successfully convened a Local Government Conference, marking a historic moment for grassroots governance. The event, held at Pegasus Club, Quetta, brought together key provincial leadership, including Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, and other high-level officials, to directly engage with local government representatives on the challenges they face.
The conference was a breakthrough for local council chairmen, mayors, and elected representatives, who had a direct platform to discuss governance challenges with provincial leadership.
LCAs’ Advocacy Leads to Key Government Commitments
During the conference, CM Bugti announced an increase in local government funds to Rs33 billion, emphasizing the need to control non-development expenditures to prioritize public welfare projects. In response to concerns raised by the LCAs, he also pledged to grant tax collection authority to municipal committees, ensuring financial sustainability for local bodies.
For the first time, elected district council chairmen, vice-chairmen, and municipal committee heads will receive salaries and benefits, recognizing their contributions to governance. CM Bugti also reaffirmed that no elected local government representative would be removed undemocratically, reinforcing the government’s commitment to democratic processes.
Conference Highlights: Leadership and Critical Discussions
The conference began with the LCA Balochistan elections, where one Provincial President, eight Divisional Presidents, one Information Secretary, and two Women Executive Members were elected. The oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected LCA Balochistan body was administered by CM Bugti.
Key addresses included:
- Opening Remarks: Mir Abid Hussain Lehri, President, LCA Balochistan
- Welcome & Keynote Speech: Syed Kumail Hyder Shah, President, LCA Pakistan
- Discussion on Local Government Challenges: Anwar Hussain, Chief Executive, LCA Pakistan
- Guest of Honor Address: Mir Ali Hassan Zehri, Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives
- Chief Guest Address: CM Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti
- Vote of Thanks: Newly Elected President of LCA Balochistan
Strengthening Local Governance Through Institutional Partnerships
A significant milestone of the event was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between the Government of Balochistan and ADLG, aimed at enhancing local government capacity through training programs, institutional reforms, and governance best practices.
The conference also focused on critical issues like education, where CM Bugti highlighted the challenge of 1.3 million out-of-school children and reiterated the government’s commitment to the Benazir Bhutto Scholarship Program to support deserving students.
LCA Balochistan: A Stronger Voice for Local Governments
The event concluded with a strong message—LCAs are driving meaningful change. With active engagement from top provincial leadership, local government representatives now have a direct channel for advocacy and reform.
Through relentless efforts, LCA Balochistan and ADLG have ensured that grassroots leaders are not only heard but are now at the center of policy decisions. This marks a pivotal moment in strengthening local governance and empowering local bodies in Balochistan.
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