- Users who do not use M-Tag receive relief pending the next hearing.
- Judge Arbab Tahir grants a stay on toll tax collection.
- High Court suspends notification of 50% extra toll.
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has restrained the National Highways Authority (NHA) from charging additional tolls from citizens.
The court stayed a notice imposing an additional 50% toll on non-M-Tag users and drivers with low balances until the next hearing.
The high court also issued notices to the NHA and other parties involved in the case, directing them to file their replies.
Judge Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a stay order, preventing the collection of the additional toll charges until further proceedings in the matter.
The latest development comes months after the government suspended a proposed quarterly increase in toll rates on the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, citing the need to provide relief to the public amid the prevailing economic challenges.
In April, Federal Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan ordered the NHA to withdraw a notification issued on April 1 and stop the hike scheduled for April 5.
A new notification was subsequently issued formally annulling the previous decision.
