Port Authority Bill
ISLAMABAD: After a delay of 12 years, the government introduced a bill in the National Assembly on Monday aimed at establishing a Land Port Authority, which is designed to enhance the movement of goods and people across border crossing points, while also reducing the cost of doing business.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar presented the bill on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. However, the Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah did not refer the bill to the relevant committee for further consideration.
The idea of creating a land port authority was first proposed in 2012 by the Pakistan Peoples Party government, under the ministry of commerce, but it was not realized.
The second attempt was made by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in 2021. If approved, Pakistan would become the third country in South Asia, after Bangladesh and India, to establish a land port authority.
Bangladesh set up its Land Port Authority in 2002, while India established its own in March 2012. India has also identified Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Myanmar as key countries for setting up integrated checkpoints (ICPs) at all major exit and entry points, with the ICP at the Wagah border with Pakistan already operational.
The proposed Pakistan Land Port Authority would function as a statutory body with the mandate to coordinate between various agencies, facilitating the seamless movement of goods and people across border points.
This authority aims to create a framework for the declaration, regulation, security, and oversight of all land ports, thereby promoting trade, fostering competition, enhancing border control, and safeguarding the country’s strategic interests.
Currently, there is no unified agency that manages the operations of various government authorities and service providers at international border points, leading to occasional delays in the movement of goods and passengers.
The bill also emphasizes the installation of advanced technology at land ports to combat illegal immigration and smuggling. The proposed Land Port Authority will work towards improving efficiency at these checkpoints and enhancing regional port competitiveness.
To oversee the operations of this new authority, the bill proposes the creation of a 16-member governing council, which will be headed by the prime minister, ensuring effective supervision and governance.
