Islamabad:
President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a change in the constitution of the 11th National Finance Commission (NFC).
The 11th NFC was compiled on August 22 to prepare a new award to share federal divisible resources between the center and the provinces.
NFC is chairman of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and includes four provincial finance ministers and four non-law-determined members, one from each province.
However, its initial session was postponed at the request of the Sindh government “because of the impending flooding situation”.
“The change was needed after Balochistan’s government revised its nomination and recommended Mahfooz Ali Khan as his non-officer member of the 11th NFC. The president granted approval of this nomination and replaced the previous approval,” President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
In addition, the president has also given his consent to the Bill on Criminal Beginning (amendments), 2025, as adopted by Parliament.
The president also gave his consent to Pakistan Land Port Authority Bill, 2025, thus with his approval, the bill now became a parliamentary act.
“Enactment paves the way for the establishment of Pakistan Land Port Authority, a statutory body that has a mandate to facilitate the movement of goods and people across border crossing points. The authority will serve as a central platform for coordination between agencies, ensuring effective trade and passenger movement in Landports,” 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 earth port.
The authority will introduce a robust mechanism to coordinate effectively with border management agencies, streamline trade facilitation and improve cross -border connection.
It will also play an important role in fulfilling Pakistan’s obligations under international agreements and conventions.
“The creation of Pakistan Land Port Authority marks a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan’s regional trade integration, improving border management and improving the economic connection with neighboring countries,” it was further added.
The president also accepted the Bill on Oil (amendment), 2025, as adopted by Parliament.
“The law strengthens measures against smuggling and illegal operation of petrol pumps. It provides deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners and customs authorities to confiscate illegal petroleum products and vehicles, introduce IT-based tracking and improve offenses for violations,” President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday.
Legislation is expected to modernize regulation of the petroleum sector, improve transparency and strengthen the government’s efforts to smuggling and tax evasion.
