Increase in motorway toll challenged in Peshawar High Court

A petition has been filed in the Peshawar High Court challenging the recent increase in motorway toll taxes, arguing that the move is unlawful and places an unfair burden on commuters.

The petition, submitted by lawyer Asif Ali Shah and others from Charsadda, names the federal government, the National Highway Authority (NHA), and the Ministry of Communications as respondents.

The petitioners argue that the government’s decision to impose a 100% toll increase on vehicles without an M-Tag is illegal.

The toll hike, notified on January 31, follows two previous increases in 2024, which raised the Charsadda-Peshawar toll from Rs30 to Rs40, and then to Rs60.

The petition contends that the government should focus on facilitating citizens rather than imposing additional financial strain.

The court has been urged to suspend the toll hike until a final decision is made.

Toll tax for tourists in G-B proposed

Earlier, Federal Minister for Privatization, Board of investment, and Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan, held separate meetings with CM of G-B, Gulbar Khan and Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov.

Both meetings focused on economic development, investment opportunities, and infrastructure enhancement in Pakistan, said a press release. During his meeting with Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, Aleem Khan discussed the expansion of the NHA in G-B and its crucial role in regional development.

To further improve infrastructure, Aleem Khan proposed the introduction of a toll tax for tourists, with collected funds dedicated to enhancing NHA's road infrastructure in the region. However, he assured that local residents would be exempted from this tax.