Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Lt Gen (Retd) Hassan Azhar Hayat as the Managing Director of the Pakistan Land Port Authority (PLPA). The appointment was confirmed through a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division, marking a key administrative step in strengthening Pakistan’s border trade and transport systems.
The Pakistan Land Port Authority was recently established to manage and regulate land ports across the country. With this move, Pakistan has become the third country in South Asia, after Bangladesh and India, to set up a dedicated authority focused on land-based trade and cross-border movement. The initiative reflects the government’s aim to modernize trade routes and improve border efficiency.
As MD, Lt Gen (Retd) Hassan Azhar Hayat will oversee the authority’s role as a central coordination platform for multiple agencies operating at land ports. The PLPA is expected to reduce delays, improve trade facilitation, and create a smoother process for the movement of goods and passengers. It will also work to strengthen border management, ensuring better security while supporting lawful trade and travel.
The authority will play an important role in helping Pakistan meet its international trade and transit obligations, including commitments under regional and global agreements. By improving coordination and infrastructure at land ports, the PLPA aims to support regional trade integration and economic connectivity, particularly with neighboring countries.
Government officials believe that the leadership of an experienced former senior military officer will bring strong organizational discipline and planning to the authority. The appointment is seen as a step toward improving Pakistan’s land port operations and supporting long-term economic growth through enhanced cross-border trade.
