PHC issues notice to federal govt in case against toll tax hike

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday issued notice to the federal government seeking reply in a petition filed against the recent increase in motorway toll tax.

A two-member bench comprising Justice SM Attique Shah and Justice Mudassir Ameer heard the petition in which the Ministry of Communications and the National Highways Authority (NHA) as respondents.

The petitioners’ lawyers, including Azeem Dad, Arif Jan, Asif Ali Shah, Syed Bilal Jan, Moaz Madani, and Dr Fawad Jan, appeared before the court. According to the petitioners, they travel daily from Charsadda to PHC for legal proceedings, adding that the toll tax at Charsadda Motorway was initially increased from Rs30 to Rs40 last year, followed by another hike to Rs60 this year.

Advocate Azeem Dad argued that the federal government issued a new notification on January 31, 2024, imposing a 100 percent increase in toll tax for vehicles without an M-Tag. The lawyers contended that this excessive toll tax hike was illegal and violates fundamental rights, including the right to free movement. They said that the rapid increase in toll charges has become unaffordable for ordinary citizens. They urged the court to issue a stay order, preventing the collection of the increased toll tax until a final decision is made.

After hearing arguments, Justice Attique Shah remarked that the increase indeed appears to be an additional financial burden. The bench then issued a notice to the federal government and adjourned the hearing.