Govt to Establish Land Port Authority After a Delay of 12 Years

After a delay of 12 years, the government has introduced a bill in the National Assembly to create a Pakistan Land Port Authority aimed at streamlining the movement of goods and people across border crossing points and reducing business costs. The bill was presented by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. However, Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah did not forward the bill to the relevant committee for further deliberation. The idea of establishing a land port authority was first proposed in 2012 by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government under the Ministry of Commerce. A second attempt was made in 2021 by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government. If approved, Pakistan would join Bangladesh and India as the third South Asian country to have such an authority. Bangladesh established its Land Port Authority in 2002, while India followed in 2012. India has already identified Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar for the development of integrated checkpoints (ICPs) at all entry and exit points. It has also opened an ICP at the Wagah border with Pakistan. The proposed Pakistan Land Port Authority would function as a statutory body responsible for coordinating between various agencies to facilitate trade and passenger movement at border crossings. The authority would oversee the declaration, regulation, security, and management of land ports to promote trade, ensure border control, foster competition, and safeguard Pakistan’s strategic interests. The bill envisions the authority as a key player in improving trade facilitation by coordinating with border agencies in line with international agreements and conventions. It aims to enhance the efficiency of land ports and improve their competitiveness in the region. Currently, the absence of a single coordinating agency at border points often leads to delays in the movement of goods and passengers. The bill also highlights the need for advanced technology at land ports to curb illegal immigration and smuggling. To oversee the authority, the bill proposes the formation of a 16-member governing council, to be established by the prime minister, for overall supervision and strategic direction.