The Islamabad High Court has suspended the National Highway Authority’s additional toll charges on non-M-Tag and low-balance M-Tag vehicles. The interim order blocks enforcement of a 50 percent surcharge until the next hearing. The decision provides temporary relief to motorists challenging the legality of the revised toll policy.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the order while hearing a petition against the NHA’s notification dated May 30, 2025. The court restrained the authority from collecting the additional charges and issued notices to the Ministry of Communications, the NHA, and other respondents. All parties have been directed to submit their replies before the next hearing.
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During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the NHA lacked legal authority to impose the additional 50 percent toll. The petition maintained that Section 10 of the NHA Act authorises only the collection of tolls and does not permit penalties on motorists without M-Tags or with insufficient M-Tag balances.
The petitioner also argued that the notification violates Articles 4, 18, 24, and 25 of the Constitution. The court was asked to declare the notification unconstitutional, order refunds of all additional charges already collected, and direct the NHA to disclose the complete mechanism governing M-Tag balances and operations.
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Following the interim relief, the court adjourned the case until August 3 for further proceedings. The final outcome will determine the legality of the NHA’s toll surcharge policy and could affect thousands of motorists using Pakistan’s motorway network.