The present system of Local Government was introduced in September 1979. This is the most representative system since independence and elections to all the local councils were held on the basis of adult franchise. The third elections of these local councils were held in 1987 and the fourth were held in1992.
At present there are 4,522 Union Councils, 106 District Council/Agencies, 2 Metropolitan Corporations, 13 Municipal Corporations, 156 Municipal Committees and 296 Town Committees in the country.
In the Federal Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) there are 7 Agency Councils and 4 Frontier Region Councils whose memkers are nominated by the Collector/Political Agent of respective area in consultation with the tribal jirgas consisting of Maliks of the area. For each Agency Council 40 and for Frontier Region Council 10 members are nominated.