The National Highway Authority’s (NHA) decision to impose a 50 percent additional toll or penalty on vehicles without an M-Tag, or with insufficient M-Tag balance, has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
The petition was filed by lawyer Muhammad Jalal Haider, who named the Ministry of Communications, the NHA, and others as respondents.
According to the petition, the NHA issued a notification on May 30, 2025, under which vehicles without an M-Tag, as well as those with low M-Tag balance, are being charged an additional 50 percent toll or fine.
The petitioner argued that under Section 10 of the NHA Act, the authority is only empowered to collect toll tax. The law, he said, does not authorize the NHA to impose fines on vehicles for not having an M-Tag or for maintaining insufficient balance in their M-Tag accounts.
The petition further stated that the NHA is collecting penalties from both categories without any legal basis, calling the move a violation of Articles 4, 18, 24, and 25 of the Constitution.
The petitioner asked the court to declare the May 30, 2025 notification illegal and unconstitutional, and to strike it down. He also requested the court to order the refund of all penalties collected from the public under the notification.
In addition, the petition sought complete details of the M-Tag balance mechanism and how the system is meant to be used.
Get the latest automobile news, car launches, bike reviews, videos and analysis wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.