National Highway Authority Toll Earnings Jump Significantly Over Five

National Highway Authority Toll Earnings Jump Significantly Over Five Years

National Highway Authority toll revenue climbed from Rs35,063 million to Rs85,714 million over five years, with increases facing court review.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 21, 2026 · 4:06 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

NHA toll revenue increased from Rs35,063 million in 2021-22 to Rs85,714 million in 2025-26.

Highways generated over Rs48,864 million in toll revenue, surpassing the Rs36,849 million collected from motorways.

The Islamabad High Court grouped petitions challenging the toll hikes, fine increases, and M-Tag system last week.

Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar questioned how the NHA raised rates independently after some charges exceeded Rs1,100.

Over a span of five years, the National Highway Authority saw its toll tax income jump significantly, moving from Rs35,063 million during 2021-22 to reach Rs85,714 million by 2025-26.

After dipping to Rs33,399 million in 2022-23 and sliding further down to Rs32,068 million in 2023-24, collections doubled to Rs64,423 million in 2024-25. Highways brought in higher toll revenue than motorways during the current period, bringing in more than Rs48,864 million compared to the Rs36,849 million gathered from motorways.

Judicial authorities are currently reviewing the higher toll rates. Last week, the Islamabad High Court grouped together all legal challenges regarding increased motorway and highway tolls, a 50 percent hike in fines, and the M-Tag system, postponing the session until next week.

Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar presided over the petition submitted by the Judicial Activism Panel. Pointing out that toll taxes climbed steeply, with certain charges now passing Rs1,100, he questioned the authority of the NHA to implement these increases independently.

A lawyer representing the NHA informed the court that a related matter sits before a different bench. Explaining that toll taxes remained unchanged for four years, he promised to help the court and received instructions to file a written response for online publishing.

The lawyer also mentioned that a separate bench overseen by Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir put a stay order on the M-Tag mandate, meaning drivers have stopped getting M-Tags installed.

Chief Justice Dogar instructed that the separate case and all related filings be brought together for joint hearings. The court subsequently postponed the unified proceedings to the following week.

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