The National Highway Authority (NHA) has announced a significant increase in toll taxes for highways and motorways across Pakistan, effective from January 2025. The decision comes as part of efforts to improve infrastructure maintenance and development.
According to the NHA, the toll tax hike will vary depending on the type of vehicle and the distance traveled. The increase is expected to impact commuters traveling on key routes, including the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M-2), Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway (M-9), and other important highways connecting major cities.
The NHA has justified the toll increase by citing rising operational and maintenance costs. It also aims to generate funds for ongoing and future projects to improve road safety and connectivity. However, the decision has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some commuters expressing concerns over the added financial burden.
The toll rates for passenger cars will rise by an average of 15%, while commercial vehicles will face a higher increase of up to 25%. For example, traveling from Lahore to Islamabad will now cost an additional Rs 100 for cars, while larger vehicles could see increases in the range of Rs 500-700.
The NHA has assured that the increased revenue will be utilized for the repair and expansion of existing road networks, along with the construction of new highways to ease congestion and improve traffic flow.
