No More 50% Extra Toll Tax for Now as IHC blocks NHA Notification

Blow to National Highway Authority (NHA) as Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended authority’s controversial decision to impose a 50 percent additional toll on vehicles travelling without an M-Tag or with insufficient M-Tag balance. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a stay order, putting the NHA’s notification on hold until further proceedings. The court also served notices to the NHA and other respondents, directing them to submit their replies before the next hearing. The interim relief means motorists will continue paying the regular motorway toll and will not be charged the additional 50 percent surcharge while the case remains pending. The legal challenge was filed by Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider against the Ministry of Communications, the NHA, and other relevant authorities. The petitioner argued that the NHA had exceeded its legal authority by introducing what it described as an unlawful penalty. NHA Act empowers the authority only to collect toll taxes and does not authorise it to impose additional fines or penalties linked to M-Tag usage or low account balances. The plea further contends that the surcharge violates constitutional protections and lacks legal backing. The petition seeks to have the NHA’s May 30, 2025 notification declared null and void. It also requests the court to order refunds for motorists who have already paid the additional charges and direct the authorities to disclose details of the M-Tag balance mechanism and its implementation. NHA’s decision to introduce the surcharge had sparked widespread criticism from commuters, who argued that motorists should not be penalised beyond the prescribed toll, particularly over technical issues such as insufficient M-Tag balance. IHC’s next hearing will determine whether the disputed notification can stand or will be permanently struck down, a ruling that could have far-reaching implications for the NHA’s toll collection policy across Pakistan’s