A new directive has been issued for all toll plazas operated under the National Highway Authority following serious concerns about traffic congestion and road closures across national highways.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Communications chaired by Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani. The committee directed NHA to immediately ensure that all lanes at toll plazas remain open to avoid unnecessary traffic jams and public inconvenience.

This article provides a complete 2026 update in easy English, including toll plaza rules, NHA financial issues, motorway development projects, and what this means for commuters and transporters.

Why Was the New Directive Issued?

The committee raised concerns about:

• Long traffic jams near toll plazas
• Blocked lanes due to repair work
• Public complaints about delays
• Poor traffic management
• Bottlenecks during peak hours

Many national highways are currently under maintenance. However, the closure of multiple toll lanes has worsened congestion.

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Order to Keep All Toll Plaza Lanes Open

The committee clearly instructed NHA to:

• Keep all toll lanes operational
• Avoid unnecessary road blockages
• Improve traffic flow management
• Monitor toll operators strictly

Officials warned that toll operators violating Standard Operating Procedures may face strict action, including contract cancellation.

This shows the government’s serious approach toward highway traffic management.

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Strict Action Against Toll Operators

The committee stated that any toll operator found violating prescribed SOPs could face:

• Financial penalties
• Official warnings
• Contract suspension
• Cancellation of agreements

This step is important because toll plaza mismanagement directly affects millions of daily commuters.

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Financial Challenges Faced by NHA

During the meeting, NHA Chief Executive Capt Asadullah Khan (Retd) briefed the committee about serious financial constraints.

He revealed that:

• Ongoing development projects worth Rs. 3.4 trillion are limiting funding for new schemes.
• The “throw forward” into FY 2026 to 27 stands at Rs. 2.7 trillion.
• Major motorway projects are consuming large resources.

This financial burden is affecting maintenance and expansion plans.

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M-6 Sukkur to Hyderabad Motorway Update

One of the major projects mentioned is the M-6 Sukkur to Hyderabad Motorway, valued at USD 1.8 billion.

This motorway is expected to:

• Improve connectivity in Sindh
• Reduce travel time
• Boost trade and logistics
• Strengthen economic corridors

However, due to funding issues, future planning space is limited.

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Public Sector Development Programme Concerns

The committee also questioned delays in submitting proposals under the Public Sector Development Programme.

Members asked NHA to clarify:

• Why proposals were delayed
• Why the authority is reportedly loss making
• How financial management can improve

There were concerns that NHA is being described as one of the largest loss making state owned enterprises in Pakistan.

The committee demanded a detailed financial briefing in the next meeting.

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Impact on Motorway Users

This directive will directly benefit:

• Daily commuters
• Transport companies
• Freight operators
• Bus services
• Private vehicle owners

Keeping all toll lanes open will:

• Reduce waiting time
• Improve fuel efficiency
• Lower travel stress
• Enhance road safety

Why Toll Plaza Management Is Important

Toll plazas play a critical role in:

• Revenue collection
• Highway maintenance funding
• Traffic monitoring
• Law enforcement

Poor toll management leads to:

• Delays
• Road rage incidents
• Fuel waste
• Economic losses

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Road Repair and Maintenance Issues

The committee emphasized that repair work should not block traffic flow.

Key concerns include:

• Incomplete road sections
• Poor planning of repair schedules
• Lack of alternate routes
• Congestion during peak hours

Authorities were directed to ensure better coordination between contractors and toll management.

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What Happens Next?

NHA is expected to:

• Immediately implement the directive
• Monitor toll plaza performance
• Submit financial clarification
• Improve transparency

Failure to comply could result in strict parliamentary action.

Comparison with Previous Years

In previous years, toll plaza complaints were common, especially during holidays and peak travel seasons.

However, this time the parliamentary committee has taken direct notice, which may lead to stronger monitoring and accountability in 2026.

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Long Term Outlook for National Highways

Despite financial constraints, Pakistan continues to invest in infrastructure development.

Future priorities include:

• Smart toll systems
• Digital payment options
• Better traffic monitoring
• Sustainable highway expansion

If managed efficiently, these steps can modernize Pakistan’s motorway network.

Final Words

The new directive for all NHA toll plazas is a major step toward improving traffic management on Pakistan’s national highways in 2026.

By ensuring all toll lanes remain open and taking strict action against non compliant operators, authorities aim to reduce congestion and improve commuter experience.

However, financial challenges remain a serious issue for the National Highway Authority. The upcoming financial briefing will play an important role in shaping future highway development policies.

If properly enforced, this directive could bring much needed relief to motorway users across Pakistan.