Presidential assent clears way for Pakistan Land Port Authority

Approves change in 11th NFC constitution

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent on Saturday to the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025, turning it into law and paving the way for the establishment of a new statutory body tasked with managing border crossings and facilitating cross-border movement.

The newly-created Pakistan Land Port Authority will act as a central platform for coordinating between multiple border management agencies.

Its mandate includes facilitating the smooth movement of goods and passengers across land ports, reducing delays, and ensuring more efficient trade flows.

Officials said the authority would serve as an institutional mechanism to streamline inter-agency cooperation and strengthen Pakistan’s connectivity with its neighbours. The body is also expected to improve compliance with international trade agreements and conventions.

With its formation, Pakistan has become the third country in South Asia, after India and Bangladesh, to establish a dedicated land port authority. Government officials described the step as part of wider efforts to improve regional trade integration and ease bottlenecks in border management.

According to the presidency, the authority will introduce a “robust coordination mechanism” with border agencies and play a role in enhancing the competitiveness of regional ports. It is also expected to boost Pakistan’s ability to meet international obligations in cross-border trade and security management.

Observers noted that the move could help Pakistan strengthen economic ties with neighbouring countries, particularly as regional connectivity projects expand. However, they added that the effectiveness of the new body will depend on how well it coordinates with existing institutions, such as customs and immigration.

Moreover, President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday approved a change in the constitution of the 11th National Finance Commission.

A statement issued by the President Secretariat Press Wing stated: “The change became necessary after the Government of Balochistan revised its nomination, recommending Mahfooz Ali Khan as its non ex-officio member in the 11th NFC.”

“The president accorded approval to this nomination, superseding the earlier approval,” it added.

Last week, President Zardari formally constituted the 11th NFC to address critical fiscal matters between the federation and the provinces.

The commission, consisting of nine members, was announced through a notification issued by the Finance Division on Friday, which also dissolved the 10th NFC formed in July 2020.

The new terms of reference ToRs were also recommended to the president for the next NFC Award.

According to the notification, the finance minister will chair the commission, while the finance ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan will serve as ex-officio members.

Each province had also nominated one expert, raising the total number of members to nine. Punjab will be represented by Nasir Mahmood Khosa, Sindh by Dr Asad Sayeed, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan, and Balochistan by Farman Ullah.

The NFC has been tasked with making recommendations to the president regarding the distribution of net proceeds of federally collected taxes among the federation and provinces, grants-in-aid to provinces, and the borrowing powers of both federal and provincial governments.

It will also deliberate on the sharing of financial responsibilities for national projects, trans-provincial initiatives, and other fiscal matters referred by the president.