Budget Allocation Concerns: The SCBAP expresses worry over the substantial funds allocated towards non-developmental schemes
PAKISTAN'S SUPREME COURT BAR ASSOCIATION SPEAKS OUT ON BUDGET ALLOCATION AND TOLL RATE INCREASE
The Real Deal: The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) has voiced its worries about the massive funds assigned for non-developmental projects in the upcoming budget, and the subsequent path to corruption these schemes may create.
Spilling the Tea: In a fiery statement released on a Thursday, SCBAP President, Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, pointed out the need to firmly regulate and discourage these non-developmental schemes. He also questioned the overspending on loans, citing potential long-term economic troubles.
The SCBAP is Bald-Faced Fed Up: The SCBAP has set its sights on the imminent meeting of its Executive Committee, where plans to tackle these issues will be discussed, and future moves decided upon.
No Room for Toll Hikes: The association throws down the gauntlet, demanding an immediate withdrawal of the toll rate increase and, if this isn't met, they intend to confront this decision legally on relevant forums. The SCBAP firmly believes that the National Highways Authority’s (NHA) drastic increase in toll charges for motorways and highways amounts to extortion from an already cash-strapped public grappling with runaway inflation.
Extortion in Disguise: The NHA revealed a 50% increase in toll taxes for vehicles without M-Tags or with insufficient balance, to be implemented on June 15, 2025, as part of a wider move to establish a 100% M-Tag system across the country’s motorways.
A New Era of Mismanagement: The sudden toll hike serves as a glaring example of putting a non-political figure, with a focus on property dealings, in charge of critical matters. This individual is running the Ministry of Communications, under which the NHA operates, instead of qualified political leaders prioritizing public welfare.
A closer look at the decision suggests the same pattern, as the Ministry of Communications fails to address its own inefficiencies, instead choosing to squeeze the public with increased toll charges.
It's a Rich World: The toll increase aims to promote the adoption of electronic toll collection systems for smoother traffic flow. However, concerns about transparency, potential corruption in the implementation, and the economic impact on frequent users remain unaddressed. The public may also perceive this hike as an additional financial burden, especially if they don't see improvements in services to match.
For a comprehensive understanding of the SCBAP's concerns, potential corruption, and economic repercussions, more exhaustive data is required. However, it's crystal clear that the NHA's decision to increase tolls is a controversial move across Pakistan.
- The Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan (SCBAP) is urging the government to reconsider the upcoming budget's allocation for non-developmental projects, as these schemes may lead to corruption.
- In a strongly worded statement, SCBAP President Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta highlighted the need for stricter regulation of non-developmental schemes and questioned overspending on loans, given potential economic troubles in the future.
- The SCBAP has plans to discuss and address these issues during their upcoming Executive Committee meeting and may take legal action if the toll rate increase is not withdrawn, considering it an extortionist act against the cash-strapped public battling inflation.
- The National Highways Authority’s (NHA) decision to increase toll charges by 50% for vehicles without M-Tags or with insufficient balance is seen as a controversial move, raising concerns about transparency, potential corruption, economic impact, and public perception, especially in light of the existing general-news topics surrounding politics, finance, business, and inflation.
