Overview
- The Islamabad High Court issued a stay on Friday, July 3, 2026, restraining the National Highway Authority from enforcing its May 30, 2025 notification that imposed a 50 percent extra charge on non‑M‑Tag and low‑balance M‑Tag vehicles.
- The interim order means motorists will continue to pay regular motorway tolls and will not be charged the 50 percent surcharge while the petition is pending.
- The legal challenge was filed by Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider, who argues the NHA lacks power under Section 10 of the NHA Act to impose penalties beyond toll collection.
- The petition asks the court to declare the notification void, to order refunds of any extra sums collected, and to compel disclosure of how M‑Tag balances are calculated and managed; the court has served notices on the NHA and the Ministry of Communications and set the next hearing for August 3.
- A final ruling could reshape motorway policy by limiting administrative penalty powers, forcing operational transparency for the M‑Tag system, and affecting thousands of commuters who said they were being penalised for technical or balance issues.