The government would charge as many as US $2500 toll tax per Nato container carrying goods to Afghanistan. Minister of State for Communication Dost Muhammad Mazari Wednesday stated this during question-hour session in the National Assembly.
He said that a report about claims of damaging assessment of $1.5 billion due to Nato transport has been submitted to the concerned Standing Committee of the National Assembly. He said that the proposal regarding recovery of estimated claims of damages and levy of tax as infrastructure usage charges has been submitted to the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence.
He said that National Highway Authority (NHA) network connects Pakistan to Afghanistan via three routs having total length of 404km. He said that the toll rates implemented on NHA network are charged on vehicles plying on roads connecting with Afghanistan.
Answering a supplementary question of the member, the Minister said that NHA network connecting Karachi Port with Afghanistan has been dilapidated considerably due to frequent use by overloaded vehicles of Nato/Isaf/American transit freight over the years. He said that the estimated rehabilitation cost is $1.5 billion. He said that the issue has been highlighted at various forums, including Standing Committees of the Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence.
Answering another question, the minister said that toll revenue of Rs 34.583 billion was collected from 2007 to 2011. He said that an amount of Rs 30.168 billion was utilised during 2007 to 2011. He said that a total of Rs 11.1 billion was collected in 2010-11, while Rs 8 billion was utilised in this year. He further said that toll revenue is dedicated purely for operation and maintenance of national/highway network.