ISLAMABAD:
President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a change in the constitution of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC).
The 11th NFC was constituted on August 22 to prepare a new award for sharing federal divisible resources between the Centre and the provinces.
Chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the NFC includes four provincial finance ministers and four non-statutory members, one from each province.
Its inaugural session, however, was postponed on the request of the Sindh government “due to the impending flood situation”.
“The change became necessary after 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,” President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
Moreover, the president has also given his assent to the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as passed by parliament.
The president also gave his assent to the Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025 thus with his approval, the bill now became an act of parliament.
“The enactment paves the way for the establishment of the Pakistan Land Port Authority, a statutory body mandated to facilitate the movement of goods and people across border crossing points. The Authority will serve as a central platform for inter-agency coordination, ensuring efficient trade and passenger movement at land ports,” President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
With this development, Pakistan became the third country in South Asia, after Bangladesh and India to establish a dedicated land port authority.
The authority will introduce a robust mechanism to coordinate effectively with border management agencies, streamline trade facilitation, and enhance cross-border connectivity.
It will also play a vital role in meeting Pakistan’s obligations under international agreements and conventions.
“The establishment of the Pakistan Land Port Authority marks a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan’s regional trade integration, improving border management, and enhancing economic connectivity with neighboring countries,” it was further added.
Also, the president assented to the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as passed by Parliament.
“The Act strengthens measures against smuggling and illegal operation of petrol pumps. It empowers Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, and Customs Authorities to confiscate illegal petroleum products and vehicles, introduces IT-based tracking, and enhances penalties for violations,” President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
The legislation is expected to modernize petroleum sector regulation, improve transparency, and strengthen the government’s efforts against smuggling and tax evasion.
