ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday approved the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill 2025, aiming to enhance cross-border trade and travel by establishing a centralized body to oversee land ports across the country.
Once enacted, Pakistan will become the third South Asian country — after Bangladesh (2002) and India (2012) — to have a dedicated land port authority.
Presented by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the bill was passed following a detailed clause-by-clause review. It now awaits Senate approval and the president’s signature to become law.
The proposed Pakistan Land Port Authority will function as a statutory organization tasked with coordinating operations at border crossings. Its primary goals are to boost efficiency in the movement of goods and people while ensuring national security and trade facilitation.
PPP’s Syed Naveed Qamar, head of the NA Standing Committee on Finance, said his party initially raised concerns but later supported the bill after amendments were accepted. A total of 12 changes were made with cross-party consensus.
The concept dates back to 2012 under the PPP, with further efforts by the PTI in 2021 and PML-N in 2016. The most recent version, tabled in December 2024, had initially stalled in committee.
Key provisions include forming a 16-member governing council, coordinating with border agencies, enforcing international trade agreements, and using advanced technology to prevent smuggling and unauthorized entry.
The new authority aims to eliminate current inefficiencies caused by a lack of unified management at border checkpoints.
