The National Highways & Motorway Police (NHMP) has instituted a significant regulation effective January 1, 2024, requiring all vehicles traversing the motorways in Pakistan to possess an M-Tag. This move is aimed at streamlining traffic flow, reducing congestion, and minimizing pollution at toll plazas.
The M-Tag, a pre-paid RFID chip affixed to a vehicle’s windscreen, facilitates seamless passage through toll plazas by automatically deducting toll taxes from the user’s balance. This innovative system enhances efficiency by eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at toll booths, contributing to a smoother traffic experience on major motorways.
The scope of this regulation spans various key motorways, including the Islamabad-Peshawar M-1, Lahore-Abdul Hakeem M-3, Pindi Bhattian-Multan M-4, Multan-Sukkur M-5, Hakla-Dera Ismail Khan M-14, and Hasan Abdal-Mansehra Expressway E-35. The NHMP’s warning emphasizes the mandatory nature of the M-Tag, making it clear that vehicles without this electronic identification will be prohibited from entering motorways starting January 1, 2024. Violators will face fines in addition to the entry ban.
To obtain the M-Tag, vehicle owners must now submit their vehicle registration smart card, a departure from the previous issuance based on computerized national identity cards (CNICs). Recharging the M-Tag can be conveniently done through the One Network App or at designated M-Tag Points.
This regulation is particularly crucial for the approximately 150,000 vehicles that daily traverse the heavily used Islamabad-Lahore M-2 Motorway. The proactive adoption of the M-Tag system is a testament to the NHMP’s commitment to enhancing the overall motorway experience, fostering efficiency, and contributing to a reduction in environmental impact by minimizing traffic-related pollution.
