PHC halts extra toll charges on M-1

Court stops additional fees on non-M-Tag vehicles

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has stopped the collection of additional toll charges from non–M-Tag vehicles on the M-1 Motorway and has sought the complete toll tax policy from the National Highways Authority (NHA).

A division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel heard three petitions challenging the recent increase in M-1 toll tax and additional charges imposed on M-Tag vehicles.

During the hearing, NHA Director Revenue, along with petitioners' counsels Asif Ali Shah, Akbar Ali, Azeem Dad, Marjan Ali, Saeed Khan Akhunzada, and Syed Bilal Bacha, appeared before the court. The lawyers argued that toll tax was increased multiple times in 2024, contrary to the approved policy.

The NHA official informed the bench that the latest increase was made under the 2024 policy. However, the petitioners' counsels contended that under the official policy, toll tax may only be revised every three years and that travel distances under 35 kilometers are exempt from increased tolls. They noted that the distance to Charsadda is only 20 kilometers, yet motorists are being charged Rs70.

The lawyers further argued that the repeated toll hikes violate citizens' right to free movement.

Justice Naeem Anwar questioned the rationale behind increasing the tax multiple times within a single year, remarking that "the policy does not permit four increases in one year." He asked NHA to clarify the formula used for these revisions. The Director Revenue responded that toll tax was last revised in 2018, and no increase was made in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that inflation was also a factor in the recent adjustments.

The petitioners' counsels maintained that the increases were made in violation of the policy and requested a stay order until the final decision.

The court then sought replies from all parties, adjourned the hearing until December 10, and issued an interim order restraining NHA from collecting additional charges from non-M-Tag vehicles.