Mian Zahid Hussain, President of the Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum, praised the establishment of the Pakistan Land Port Authority (PLPA) as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s economic integration and regional connectivity.

Speaking to exporters and industrial leaders, he highlighted that the PLPA meets a long-standing demand from the private sector and aligns with modern trade policies. Under Lt Gen (Retd) Hassan Azhar Hayat’s leadership, the authority aims to streamline the movement of goods and reduce logistics costs by coordinating customs, immigration, and security across border points.

With support from the Asian Development Bank, the PLPA will upgrade border infrastructure to facilitate trade with China, Afghanistan, and Central Asia while introducing technology to combat illegal trade and lower transaction costs.

Mian Zahid Hussain emphasized that improving regional trade is crucial for creating jobs and reducing security expenses. He urged the government to support the fast development of logistics and storage solutions at key border points to enhance regional connectivity, which he described as essential for Pakistan’s economic survival and growth.