ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan on Tuesday visited Motorway M-5 at Jalalpur Pirwala to check ongoing repair work after the recent floods. He directed that one-way traffic should be restored on the busy highway by November 30, 2025, to ease inconvenience for commuters.
“One-way traffic must start by November 30, and commuters’ problems should be resolved immediately,” the minister said, according to an official press release.
Mr Khan reviewed the repair progress and instructed National Highway Authority (NHA) officials to complete all work on time and maintain high quality standards.
He warned that substandard work would not be accepted and asked authorities to submit a detailed progress report within a week. He also said he would personally follow up on the developments.
The minister inspected rest houses and roadside facilities along the M-5 Motorway. Expressing dissatisfaction over poor arrangements, he reprimanded NHA officials and stressed that negligence would not be tolerated. He directed that restrooms be clean, tuck shops properly stocked, and other passenger services fully functional.
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“It is every traveller’s right to get proper facilities,” he said, adding that people are more willing to pay taxes when public services are reliable.
The minister reaffirmed that the Ministry of Communications is committed to making Motorway M-5 safer, comfortable, and fully operational as soon as possible.
Earlier, NHA officials briefed him on the current status of the repair and rehabilitation work at Jalalpur Pirwala.
E-Tag (M-Tag) System Now Mandatory in Islamabad
The district administration has fixed the cost of the M-Tag at Rs250, with a possible increase of Rs50 under consideration. Officials have warned that vehicles without an M-Tag will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
The mandatory installation of E-Tags on all vehicles entering the federal capital has started, causing long queues on the first day. Every vehicle must have an E-Tag (M-Tag), except those that already have one.
To make the process easier, the administration has set up e-tagging centres at seven locations: Kachnar Park, Lake View Park, F-9 Park, Islamabad Club, Tarlai Kalan, Chungi No. 26, Gulberg Green, and the Islamabad Excise Office. Motorcycles may soon be included in the system.
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Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said the administration is taking steps to improve security and provide convenience to the public. M-Tags are being issued from 9am to 9pm, while the Excise Office operates from 3pm to 9pm.
The Frontier Works Organization (FWO) has set up booths near the old toll plaza at Chungi No. 26, and Motorway booths are issuing tags as well. Vehicles already carrying an M-Tag do not need to apply again.
Eight points across the city have also been set up to help motorists get M-Tags. These include Kachnar Park I-8, Islamabad Club, Lake View Park, F-9 Park, Tarlai, Chungi No. 26, Gulberg Green, and the Excise and Taxation Office in H-8. Motorists can get tags installed, recharged, or renewed between 9am and 9pm, except at the Excise Office where services are available from 3pm to 9pm. Officials say these centres will reduce long queues and make the tagging process easier.
Vehicles without an M-Tag will not be allowed to enter or move inside Islamabad.
