Islamabad High Court Stops NHA from Charging Extra Toll Tax

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has stopped the National Highway Authority (NHA) from collecting an additional toll tax from motorists using non M-Tag lanes or M-Tags with low balance.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir suspended the NHA notification that imposed a 50% extra toll charge. The order will remain in effect until the next court hearing.

The court also issued notices to the NHA and other respondents and asked them to submit their replies. The petitioner was represented by Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider.

With the court’s stay order, commuters will not have to pay the extra toll while the case is being heard.

The case was filed after the NHA introduced a policy requiring vehicles without an M-Tag, or with insufficient M-Tag balance, to pay 50% more in toll charges.

In the petition, lawyer Muhammad Jalal Haider argued that the NHA Act allows the authority to collect toll tax but does not give it the power to impose additional penalties related to M-Tags.

The petition also said the extra charges are unconstitutional. It asked the court to declare the May 30, 2025 notification illegal and order refunds for motorists who had already paid the additional toll.

The petitioner also requested details about how the M-Tag balance system works and how it is being implemented.

The next hearing will decide whether the NHA’s notification will remain in place or be cancelled.