IHC suspends 50% additional toll tax on non-M-Tag vehicles

IHC suspends 50% additional toll tax on non-M-Tag vehicles

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the notification imposing a 50% additional toll tax on vehicles without an M-Tag and on M-Tag users with insufficient account balances until the next hearing.

The court issued a stay order, preventing the National Highway Authority (NHA) from collecting the additional toll charges and directed the relevant authorities to submit their responses at the next hearing.

The order came while hearing a petition challenging the legality of the additional toll tax, providing interim relief to motorists across the country.

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued a stay order suspending the notification that imposed a 50% additional toll tax on non-M-Tag vehicles and on M-Tag users with low account balances until the next hearing.

The case concerns a proposal to allocate Rs. 148.20 billion to the Ministry of Communications and the National Highway Authority (NHA).

The court issued notices to the NHA and the other respondents, directing them to submit their replies.

It also ordered that the notification imposing the additional toll tax shall remain suspended until the next hearing. Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider represented the petitioner before the Islamabad High Court. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing of the case until August 3.

The court also issued notices to the NHA and other respondents, directing them to submit detailed replies at the next hearing. The petition challenging the additional toll tax was argued by Advocate Muhammad Jalal Haider. Granting interim relief to the petitioners, the court ordered an immediate suspension of the collection of the additional toll charges pending further proceedings.

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