The court orders a joint hearing next week as questions are raised over toll increases, with the National Highway Authority asked to submit its response.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the consolidation of pending cases challenging increases in motorway and national highway toll taxes and the imposition of a 50% surcharge on motorway traffic fines.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the directions while hearing a petition concerning the toll increases and additional charges. The court directed that the related petitions be brought together for a joint hearing next week.

Court questions rising motorway toll charges

During the hearing, the chief justice questioned the continued increase in toll charges and asked how the National Highway Authority (NHA) could raise rates on its own. He observed that the toll had exceeded Rs1,100.

The NHA’s counsel responded that toll rates had not been increased for four years and offered to assist the court with the relevant details.

The chief justice directed the authority’s lawyer to submit the NHA’s response in a form that could be uploaded online so the court could examine its position.

Related M-Tag case to be heard together

The NHA’s counsel also informed the court about a related case pending before another bench involving a stay order concerning M-Tag requirements. According to the counsel, motorists were no longer being issued M-Tags.

The case is pending before Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir. The chief justice directed that this matter also be summoned alongside the other petitions so that the connected issues could be considered together.

The court asked the petitioner’s legal team to ensure attendance at the next hearing and said the proceedings would continue even if the counsel failed to appear.

No final decision yet on toll increases

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until next week, when the related petitions are expected to be taken up together.

The proceedings concern challenges to toll-tax increases and the 50% surcharge on motorway fines. The court has not yet issued a final ruling on the legality of these measures.

The outcome of the consolidated hearing could have implications for motorway users, particularly motorists concerned about rising travel costs, traffic fines and M-Tag requirements.