The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has consolidated all petitions concerning increased toll tax on motorways and major highways, a 50 percent rise in fines and the M-Tag system, and adjourned the hearing until next week.
Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar heard the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel.
During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that toll tax had risen sharply, with some rates now exceeding Rs1,100. He asked how the National Highway Authority (NHA) could raise the rates on its own.
The NHA counsel told the court that a similar case is pending before another bench. He said toll tax had not been increased for four years and assured the court that he would assist on the matter.
The court directed the NHA counsel to submit his reply in written form so that it could be uploaded online. The counsel further stated that a stay order on the M-Tag requirement has been issued in the other case, and that motorists are no longer installing M-Tags. That case is being heard in the court of Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir.
Chief Justice Dogar ordered that the other case, along with all related petitions, be summoned and heard together. The court then adjourned the consolidated proceedings until next week.