Court restrains authority from recovering 50% extra toll pending further proceedings
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday extended its interim order preventing the National Highway Authority (NHA) from collecting an additional 50% toll tax from motorists travelling without an M-Tag or with insufficient balance, while hearing a petition challenging the authority’s notification.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir presided over the hearing of the petition filed by advocate Jalal Haider, who questioned the legality of the NHA’s decision to impose the additional toll charges.
During the proceedings, the NHA submitted its written response to the court, and a copy was handed over to the petitioner’s counsel.
Court reviews submissions
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir asked the petitioner’s lawyer whether he had received the authority’s reply. The counsel confirmed that the document had only been provided during the hearing and that he had not yet been able to examine its contents.
The court noted the submission and allowed the petitioner’s counsel time to review the written response before presenting detailed arguments.
Meanwhile, counsel representing the NHA requested that the petition be heard together with another similar case already pending before the Islamabad High Court.
Proceedings adjourned
Justice Tahir observed that the court was aware of the related matter but clarified that both petitions had been filed separately and would continue to be treated as independent cases unless otherwise decided.
After hearing the preliminary arguments from both sides, the court extended its interim order restraining the National Highway Authority from recovering the additional 50% toll charges from affected motorists.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to a later date for further proceedings.
The petition challenges the NHA’s notification introducing the additional toll for vehicles without an M-Tag or carrying insufficient balance, arguing that the measure requires judicial review. Until the matter is decided, the interim relief granted by the Islamabad High Court will remain in force, preventing the authority from enforcing the disputed surcharge against motorists using the motorway network.
