ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday passed a long-pending bill to establish a land port authority aimed at facilitating the movement of goods and people across border crossing points, while also reducing the cost of doing business.

The bill, which had been in limbo for several years, finally saw the light of day after the government addressed the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) reservations and adopted several amendments. The proposed legislation, which was moved in the House by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry, is now set to make Pakistan the third country in South Asia — after Bangladesh and India — to establish such an authority.

PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar, who successfully moved amendments to 19 of the bill’s 55 clauses, said the party had longstanding concerns over several provisions. “It’s basically about trade facilitation — making borders welcoming, not intimidating,” he remarked during the debate.

He noted that the idea had been under consideration since 2012 when the PPP government first proposed establishing a land port authority under the Ministry of Commerce. A second attempt was made in 2021 under the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government, but it failed to materialise.

Move will facilitate cross-border trade, improve regulatory oversight

Following its expected passage in the Senate, the bill will become law, formally establishing the Pakistan Land Port Authority as a statutory body. The authority will be responsible for inter-agency coordination to streamline border procedures, facilitate cross-border movement, and enhance trade efficiency.

The law provides a legal framework for the declaration, regulation, and security oversight of land ports. It aims to promote trade, ensure fair competition, implement border control mechanisms, and protect Pakistan’s strategic interests.

Once established, the authority will also be responsible for implementing international trade facilitation commitments, enhancing coordination among border agencies, and introducing advanced technologies at crossing points to combat illegal immigration and smuggling.

The model is based on existing frameworks in Bangladesh and India. The Bangladesh Land Port Authority was created in 2002, while India’s Land Ports Authority was established in March 2012. Pakistan’s version seeks to align with regional standards and improve the competitiveness of its trade infrastructure. The proposed authority is expected to play a critical role in improving the country’s logistics landscape and supporting regional connectivity goals, especially under multilateral trade agreements and conventions.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2025