NHA Enforces Extra Toll Tax for Vehicles Without M-Tag

50% Additional Charges to Be Imposed from June 15, 2025

Islamabad June 4, 2025 In a significant move to streamline toll collection and promote digitalization, the National Highways Authority (NHA) has announced the imposition of a 50% additional toll tax on vehicles without M-Tags or with insufficient balance, effective from June 15, 2025.

Objective: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Congestion

The NHA’s decision aims to enforce the mandatory use of M-Tags across Pakistan’s motorway network, facilitating smoother traffic flow and reducing congestion at toll plazas. By encouraging electronic toll collection, the authority seeks to minimize manual transactions and associated delays.

Legal Framework and Implementation

The enforcement is carried out under Section 10(2)(vii) of the NHA Act-1991, as amended in 2024, granting the authority the power to revise toll rates and implement additional charges. The revised rates will apply to various categories of vehicles traversing key motorways, including:

• M-1 (Islamabad–Peshawar)
• M-2 (Lahore–Islamabad)
• M-3 (Pindi Bhattian–Multan)
• M-4 (Faisalabad–Multan)
• M-5 (Multan–Sukkur)
• M-9 (Karachi–Hyderabad)
• M-14 (D.I. Khan–Hakla)
• E-35 (Hassanabdal–Mansehra Expressway)

The additional 50% charge will be levied on top of the standard toll rates for vehicles without M-Tags or with low balances.

Revised Toll Rates for Non-M-Tag Vehicles

The new toll rates for non-M-Tag vehicles are as follows:

• Cars:
  • Islamabad–Lahore (M-2): Rs1,800
  • Lahore–Abdul Hakeem (M-3): Rs1,200
  • Pindi Bhattian–Multan (M-4): Rs1,600
  • Multan–Sukkur (M-5): Rs1,800
  • D.I. Khan–Hakla (M-14): Rs1,000
  • Hassanabdal–Mansehra Expressway (E-35): Rs450
• Commercial Vehicles:
  • Lahore–Islamabad (M-2) 2 and 3 axle trucks: Rs7,900
  • Articulated trucks: Rs10,200

These rates include the 50% additional charge for non-compliance with the M-Tag requirement.

Facilitating M-Tag Registration

To assist motorists in complying with the new regulations, the NHA has established M-Tag registration facilities at designated motorway toll plazas and authorized service centers nationwide. Motorists are urged to register for M-Tags and ensure sufficient balance in their accounts to avoid the additional charges.

Public Response and Future Outlook

The announcement has elicited mixed reactions from the public. While some appreciate the move towards digitalization and improved traffic management, others express concerns over the additional financial burden. The NHA emphasizes that the measure is essential for enhancing efficiency and reducing congestion on the country’s motorways.