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Higher motorway toll on low M-Tag balance: Court issues notices
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Economy & Trade

Higher motorway toll on low M-Tag balance: Court issues notices

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • The Islamabad High Court issued notices regarding a petition challenging a 50% increase in motorway tolls for vehicles with insufficient M-Tag balance.
  • The petitioner argues the higher toll is arbitrary and lacks lawful justification, disproportionately affecting low-balance users.
  • The court will hear arguments on whether policy decisions can be subject to judicial review if deemed unreasonable or discriminatory.

The Islamabad High Court has issued notices to the Ministry of Communications and other respondents concerning a petition that challenges a recent notification imposing a 50% higher motorway toll. This increased toll specifically targets vehicles with an insufficient M-Tag balance.

The decision to impose a higher toll on low-balance vehicles was arbitrary, excessive and without lawful justification.

— Mahfouz BukhariCounsel for the petitioner, arguing against the increased motorway toll.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar presided over the hearing of the petition, which was filed by the Judicial Activism Panel. The petition contests a June 3, 2025, notification that mandates the higher toll. Mahfouz Bukhari, counsel for the petitioner, argued that the decision to impose this increased charge on vehicles with low balances is arbitrary, excessive, and lacks lawful justification.

The impugned decision appeared to be a policy measure of the government and questioned how the court could interfere in such matters.

— Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz DogarObserving on the nature of the challenged decision during the court hearing.

The Chief Justice raised a question about the court's ability to intervene in what appeared to be a government policy measure. However, Bukhari countered that even policy decisions are subject to judicial review if they are found to be unreasonable, discriminatory, or in violation of the law. He contended that the enhanced toll lacks a rational basis and is disproportionate for motorists with low M-Tag balances.

Even policy decisions are subject to judicial review if they are unreasonable, discriminatory or violated the law.

— Mahfouz BukhariResponding to the court's observation on policy matters.

Following the preliminary arguments, the court formally issued notices to the relevant respondents. They have been directed to submit their replies to the petition, indicating that the legal challenge will proceed to further stages.

The enhanced toll imposed on motorists with low M-Tag balances was disproportionate and lacked a rational basis.

— Mahfouz BukhariFurther arguing the case against the toll increase.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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