ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - The Islamabad High Court has restrained the National Highway Authority (NHA) from collecting additional toll charges from motorists, suspending a notification imposing a 50 percent surcharge on non-M-Tag and low-balance M-Tag vehicles until the next hearing.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued the interim order while hearing a petition challenging the NHA's notification dated May 30, 2025.
During the proceedings, the petitioner's counsel, Muhammad Jalal Haider, argued that the NHA had imposed an additional 50 percent toll charge on vehicles without M-Tags and those with insufficient M-Tag balances despite lacking legal authority to do so.
The petition contended that Section 10 of the NHA Act authorizes the authority only to collect tolls and contains no provision permitting penalties on non-M-Tag or low-balance M-Tag vehicles. It further argued that the NHA's action violated Articles 4, 18, 24 and 25 of the Constitution.
The petitioner requested the court to declare the May 30 notification unconstitutional and void, order the refund of all additional charges collected under the notification, and direct the NHA to disclose the complete mechanism governing M-Tag balances and their operation.
After suspending the notification, the court issued notices to the Ministry of Communications, the NHA and other respondents, directing them to submit replies. The hearing was adjourned until August 3.