Motorway toll hike PHC seeks response from federal govt and NHA

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the federal government and the National Highways Authority (NHA) on a petition challenging the recent increase in motorway toll tax.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Naeem Anwar and Justice Khurshid Iqbal heard the case. The petition was filed by a citizen, Faisal, who was represented by his counsel, Akhunzada Muhammad Saeed.

The lawyer informed the court that the toll tax on motorways had initially been raised from Rs30 to Rs40 last year. However, a second increase was introduced earlier this year. He pointed out that on January 31, the federal government issued a new notification, implementing a 100 per cent hike in toll tax for vehicles without M-Tags.

Terming the move unlawful, the petitioner argued that the increase was a violation of fundamental rights and discriminated against motorists not using the M-Tag system. He maintained that the sharp rise in toll tax also infringed upon citizens’ right to free movement and placed an unbearable financial burden on low-income commuters.