IHC Seeks Government Response Over Petition Challenging Increased Motorway Toll

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought responses from the Ministry of Communications and other relevant authorities regarding a petition challenging the increase in motorway toll charges for vehicles with insufficient M-Tag balance.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar issued notices to the respondents while hearing a petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel against the notification issued on June 3, 2025.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Mahfouz Bukhari, argued that the additional 50 percent toll charged on vehicles with low M-Tag balance was excessive and lacked proper legal justification.

Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar observed that the challenged notification appeared to be a policy decision of the government and questioned the court’s role in such matters.

In response, the petitioner’s counsel argued that government policies could still be reviewed by courts if they were found to be unreasonable, discriminatory, or against legal principles. He maintained that the additional toll burden on motorists was disproportionate.

After hearing the initial arguments, the court directed the Ministry of Communications and other respondents to submit their replies to the petition.

The case will proceed after the responses are received from the concerned authorities.