Toll tax increase in Sindh draws widespread criticism

The Sindh Assembly criticized the federal government and the National Highway Authority (NHA) for the continuous rise in toll taxes on highways and motorways in the province, calling for an immediate reversal of the decision.

Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties have strongly criticized the recent toll tax hikes implemented by the National Highway Authority (NHA). These toll increases, which have occurred three times in the past seven months, were described as unfair and a heavy burden on the people of Sindh.

The most recent toll hike, effective from January 1, 2025, aims to generate Rs102 billion in revenue this fiscal year, a notable increase from the Rs64 billion collected in the previous year. However, lawmakers argue that this hike adds unnecessary financial strain on citizens already facing inflation.

PPP legislator Heer Soho pointed out that the toll for traveling from Karachi to Sukkur now exceeds Rs2500, further burdening the public. She also criticized the NHA for not specifying roads in Sindh in its notification and highlighted the deteriorating condition of the roads in the province. Soho suggested that the NHA should be renamed the Punjab Highway Authority due to its neglect of Sindh’s infrastructure, particularly the Karachi-Sukkur highway.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon raised serious concerns about the poor state of roads under NHA’s management and the lack of safety measures, which have led to fatal accidents. He demanded that the federal government allocate the necessary funds to complete the Hyderabad-Sukkur Motorway project and improve services for Sindh.

Other lawmakers, including those from MQM-P, echoed these concerns, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the toll tax hikes. They emphasized that any tax increases should be accompanied by improved public services.