The National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications has recommended reducing the number of toll plazas on the Karachi–Hyderabad M-9 Motorway, suggesting that toll booths be spaced 80 to 100 kilometers apart, rather than the current 35 km intervals.
This recommendation follows growing public dissatisfaction over frequent toll charges along one of the country’s most heavily used highways.
Commuters and transporters have consistently raised concerns about the financial burden of paying tolls multiple times over short distances.
During a recent committee meeting chaired by MNA Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani, members criticized the National Highway Authority (NHA) for what they described as an unfair tolling system.
Lawmakers labeled the current setup as “excessive and unjust,” particularly for daily travelers between Karachi and Hyderabad.
| Motorway/Region | No. of Toll Plazas | Remarks |
| Sukkur–Hyderabad | 11–12 | Most congested stretch |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 3 | Moderate traffic flow |
| Punjab | 8 | Evenly spaced |
| Karachi–Hyderabad (M-9) | Every 35 km | Under review |
While NHA officials explained that the placement of toll plazas is based on factors like traffic volume and surrounding population, committee members dismissed the rationale.
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One member stated that having two toll booths just a few kilometers apart is unreasonable and places an undue financial strain on motorists.
MNA Waseem Hussain expressed strong disapproval, calling the tolling system “an injustice to the people of Karachi and Hyderabad.” He warned that public frustration over repeated deductions is growing and called for urgent policy changes.
The committee also highlighted inconsistencies in how toll plazas are positioned, noting that they often do not align with district boundaries, creating confusion and disparity across different regions.
Chairman Jakhrani instructed that the toll plaza legislation be thoroughly reviewed for potential amendments. Although NHA leadership defended certain toll booth locations, they agreed to revisit the policy and consider the committee’s input.
The committee plans to finalize its recommendations and forward them to the Speaker of the National Assembly. Jakhrani emphasized the need for a more equitable tolling structure that reflects economic conditions and respects the rights of road users.
