Before and during the greater part of the DOPP period, local government associations (in the commonly understood sense) not did exist in Pakistan. However, unde the DOPP there was a growing awareness and empowerment of local government that promoted a greater sense of unity and common purpose among its elected Representatives The first initiative came from Punjab province with the
creation of the Local Councils Association of the Punjab (LCAP) in 2007. Since its inception LCAP has become a leading national organisation, not only in its lobbying of provincial and national governments, but also in paving the way for a louder voice for local democracy across the whole country. Following LCAP new local government
associations were created in the other three provinces in Pakistan: Sindh, Balochistan and the North West Frontier (Khyber Pakhtunkhawa). Later, in November 2009, a national local government association was launched