IHC Stops Extra Toll on Non M-Tag Users in Pakistan

Islamabad High Court restrains NHA from extra toll on non M-Tag users

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an interim order restraining the National Highway Authority (NHA) from collecting additional toll charges from motorists who do not have an M-Tag or have insufficient balance. The decision comes after the NHA imposed a 50% surcharge on such vehicles through a recent notification. The court has suspended the implementation of this surcharge until the next hearing of the case.

During the hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the interim stay order, putting the disputed notification on hold. The case challenges the legality of the additional toll charges imposed on non-M-Tag users and those with low balance in their accounts.

The petition was argued by Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider, who questioned the legal basis of the increased toll rates. The court also issued notices to the National Highway Authority and other respondents, directing them to submit their formal replies in the matter.

According to details, the NHA had recently issued a notification introducing an extra 50% toll rate on its motorway network for vehicles without M-Tag or with insufficient balance. This revised toll structure included the penalty amount within the total charges.

The increased toll rates were set to apply across several major motorways, including M-1 (Islamabad–Peshawar), M-2 (Lahore–Islamabad), M-3 (Pindi Bhattian–Multan), M-4 (Faisalabad–Multan), M-5 (Multan–Sukkur), M-9 (Karachi–Hyderabad), M-14 (D.I. Khan–Hakla), and E-35 (Hassanabdal–Mansehra Expressway).

Under the disputed notification, revised toll charges for different routes were also outlined. The toll for a car on the Islamabad–Lahore motorway (M-2) was fixed at Rs 1,800, while on M-3 (Lahore–Abdul Hakim) it was set at Rs 1,200. On M-4 (Pindi Bhattian–Multan), the toll was fixed at Rs 1,600.

Similarly, the toll for cars on M-5 (Multan–Sukkur) was set at Rs 1,800, while on M-14 (D.I. Khan–Hakla) it was increased to Rs 1,000. For the E-35 (Hassanabdal–Mansehra Expressway), the toll for cars was fixed at Rs 450.

The notification also mentioned revised rates for heavy vehicles, including Rs 7,900 for 2 and 3 axle trucks on Lahore–Islamabad, and Rs 10,200 for articulated trucks.

The court’s interim order means that the disputed notification will remain suspended until further proceedings. The case will continue as the court examines the legal justification for imposing the additional toll charges.

(SOURCE:ARYNEWS)