By Muhammad Faisal
ISLAMABAD – The National Highway Authority (NHA) has seen its toll revenue more than double in just two years, reaching Rs96.49 billion during fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25, according to official data.
The money came from tolls collected on highways and motorways across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Balochistan. Motorway toll income jumped by 110 percent, while highway tolls rose by 94 percent.
Sindh Leads, Balochistan Trails
Sindh topped the list with a 117 percent increase, collecting Rs16.62 billion during the two years. KP followed with Rs3.63 billion (up 92 percent), while Punjab collected Rs30.25 billion (up 84 percent).
Balochistan brought in the least, Rs1.68 billion, though it still posted an 81 percent rise.
Motorways and Highways: Big Money Earners
In 2023-24, the NHA collected Rs32.07 billion. Out of this, Rs14.31 billion came from motorways and Rs17.76 billion from highways.
In 2024-25, toll collections surged to Rs64.42 billion, with Rs29.99 billion from motorways and Rs34.43 billion from highways.
Altogether, motorways earned Rs44.3 billion over two years, while highways pulled in Rs52.12 billion.
Why the Jump?
Officials say toll rates were revised twice in 2024 and 2025, following NHA’s policy of adjusting rates every three years or when inflation demands it.
A senior NHA official explained that these revisions are legal and necessary to keep the road network safe, maintained, and financially sustainable.
Three Toll Systems in Place
The NHA uses three methods to collect tolls:
- Manual toll plazas – workers collect cash and track traffic at the end of each fiscal year.
- Electronic Toll and Traffic Management (ETTM) – a hybrid system that monitors traffic in real time while guaranteeing a fixed income share.
- M-Tag system – used only on motorways, this system deducts charges from prepaid accounts so vehicles can pass through without stopping.
The NHA, created in 1991, is responsible for managing and maintaining Pakistan’s federal road network, funded mostly through tolls.
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