Senate Committee Probes Toll Collection Discrepancies Amid Citizen Payments

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Communications convened on Monday to scrutinize the transition from manual tolling to the M-Tag system, raising concerns over the effectiveness of toll collections despite citizens having paid billions of rupees for the service.

Committee Chairman Senator Pervaiz Rashid led the meeting, where members demanded a comprehensive report from the National Highway Authority (NHA) detailing the toll collection data. The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the current system, questioning whether the shift to M-Tag has improved efficiency or merely added to the financial burden on citizens.

This inquiry comes at a time when public trust in government services is waning, particularly regarding infrastructure projects that are expected to enhance connectivity and economic growth. The committee’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment among citizens who feel that their contributions are not being managed transparently or effectively.

Looking ahead, the committee plans to hold further sessions to evaluate the NHA’s response and explore potential reforms to the toll collection system. Stakeholders are urged to prepare for upcoming discussions that may lead to significant changes in how tolls are managed across the national highway network.