Transporters reject ‘unacceptable’ hike in toll tax
A representative body of transporters has termed the recent increase in toll tax ‘shocking’ and ‘unacceptable’.
Supreme Council of All Pakistan Transporters (SCOAT) in its meeting held at the Mauripur Truck Terminal called the increase in toll taxes on national highways and motorways shocking and unacceptable. The toll tax has been raised by 35 to 40 per cent under the guise of a 30 per cent increase.
SCOAT Chairman Captain (Rtd) Asif Mehmood, Senior Vice Chairman Malik Muhammad Riaz Awan, General Secretary Hanif Khan Marwat, Vice Chairman Murad Khan Durrani, Dilawar Khan Niazi, Iqbal Shahzai, Hameed Shaheen Umrani, and Akhtar Saeed Khan spoke to media representatives.
They stated that transporters have already been forced for many years to buy diesel, spare parts, tires, and lubricants at extremely high prices. The government has now also increased toll taxes, which has caused severe anger and frustration among goods transporters, oil tanker owners, and public transport operators such as intercity buses, local buses, and van owners.
The government had announced a 30% increase, but most toll taxes have been raised by 35% to 40%. The details are as follows: For heavy vehicles, the toll tax on national highways has been increased from Rs250 to Rs350, which amounts to a 40% increase.
Similarly, on the M5, it has been increased from Rs3,280 to RS4,500, amounting to a 37% increase. For axle trucks on the M3, the toll tax has been increased from Rs1,550 to Rs2,100, and for buses, it has been raised from Rs.1200 to 1600.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the National Highways and Motorways Authority are requested to immediately roll back the increase in toll tax otherwise, the businesses of transporters across Pakistan, which are already in a state of ruin, will come to a complete halt.
As a result, the transportation of raw materials, medicines, and other essential goods in the country will be severely affected. Furthermore, this decision will also lead to an increase in intercity bus fares, the burden of which will have to be borne by the public
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2024.