The Islamabad administration has announced that vehicles without M-Tags will not be permitted to enter the federal capital from January 1, 2026, as part of enhanced security and traffic management measures.
The decision was taken on the instructions of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, with authorities warning that action will be taken against non-compliant vehicles once the policy is enforced.
The M-Tag is a prepaid radio frequency identification (RFID) sticker affixed to a vehicle’s windshield to automate toll payments. As vehicles pass through toll plazas, scanners identify the vehicle and entry point, and the toll amount is automatically deducted upon exit, eliminating the need for manual payments and long queues. Authorities say the system will also help in monitoring vehicle movement and improving security.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon has directed officials to speed up registration at all M-Tag facilitation centres to ensure maximum vehicle coverage before the deadline. According to Memon, 16 M-Tag facilitation points have been set up across Islamabad to facilitate motorists. Since November 14, nearly 100,000 vehicles have already been issued M-Tags.
Memon said vehicles without M-Tags will be identified using tag readers installed at key entry points and checkpoints across the city. “From January 1, as soon as the tag readers become fully operational, action will be taken against vehicles without M-Tags,” he said, urging citizens to register their vehicles promptly to avoid inconvenience.
Earlier, the National Highways Authority (NHA) also introduced measures to promote M-Tag usage, announcing an additional 25 per cent toll charge for vehicles without M-Tags on motorways. The cost of issuing an M-Tag is Rs250 per vehicle.
Authorities say the initiative aims to improve traffic flow, strengthen security, and modernise toll collection, while advising motorists to comply well ahead of the enforcement date.
