M-Tag (Pakistan)

M-Tag

The M-TAG
Native name	M-Tag
Formerly	E-Tag by NADRA
Company type	Electronic Toll Collection System
Traded as	M-Tag
Predecessor	E-Tag
Headquarters	Kashmir Road, Rawalpindi , Pakistan
Area served	Pakistan
Owner	National Highway Authority
Website	https://onenetwork.pk/

M-Tag is an electronic toll collection system deployed on the motorways of Pakistan by One Network. ^[1] It is the main ETC System for Pakistan. It is deployed on every motorway in Pakistan except M-8 motorway. It includes automated and centrally connected electronic toll collection. ^[2] M-TAG is also used on Lahore Ring Road.

History

In 2009 M-TAG was implemented by the National Highway Authority of Pakistan for a faster and smoother experiences in motorways. M-Tag used to be as E-Tag until it was discontinued and changed to M-Tag. E-Tag was mainly called as E-Toll. When E-Tag was suspended on M-1, M-Tag was made but was on M-2. Before E-Tag was implemented, all motorways had cash lanes and no ETC lanes. As more motorways were built, this transponder gradually expanded to all operational motorways in Pakistan except M-8 motorway. M-Tag was first implemented in M-2 motorway as E-Tag. It is also implemented on Lahore Ring Road and Gujranwala Expressway.

List of highways in where Pakistan M-Tag is and is not accepted

Highways where M-TAG is accepted (excludes future highways)

1. 

   An E-Tag lane in Peshawar Toll Plaza

   M-1 motorway (Pakistan) (AH1, AH4)
2. M-2 motorway (Pakistan) (AH1, AH4)
3. M-3 motorway (Pakistan)
4. M-4 motorway (Pakistan)
5. M-5 motorway (Pakistan)
6. M-9 motorway (Pakistan)
7. M-10 motorway (Pakistan)
8. M-11 motorway (Pakistan)
9. M-14 motorway (Pakistan)
10. M-15 motorway (Pakistan) (E-35)
11. M-16 motorway (Pakistan)
12. Lahore Ring Road
13. Gujranwala Expressway

Highways where M-TAG is not accepted (excludes future highways)

1. M-8 motorway (Pakistan) Partially Operational, Under Construction

Mandatory for Motorways

As of February 2025 ^[update] , M-Tag is mandatory for vehicles travelling on Motorways of Pakistan. For non M-Tag users, they will face a 50% additional charge. ^[3]

Controversies and least benefits

• Some people have said that sometimes in toll plazas, the M-TAG lane is congested which can sometimes lead to issues and a traffic jam.
• In toll plazas with M-TAG, unlike other countries with ETC Gantries where you pay the toll with your TAG but you don’t stop, you have to stop at the toll plaza even with M-Tag. However it is noted that the antenna also scans the car if it has an M-Tag, so that a non M-Tag car cannot go in the motorway in the Express Lane by the gate not being opened.
• Some say that you still have to pay cash in the M-TAG lane sometimes.
• It has been described as having low efficiency. ^[3]

Interoperable Tags

As of 2018, M-Tag is not interoperable with any toll transponders. However it was interoperable with E-Tag until 2018.

• E-Tag by NADRA (2016-2018)

References

1. Desk, News (2025-02-01). "Pakistan's national highways go fully digital with M-Tag implementation". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2025-08-31.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
2. "One Network | Smart Transport & Security Solutions". One Network. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
3. Ahmad, Shakir; Ali, Nazam; Ali, Shahid; Javid, Muhammad Ashraf (December 2021). "A Simulation-Based Study for the Optimization of Toll Plaza with Different Lane Configuration: A Case Study of Ravi Toll Plaza Lahore, Pakistan". Journal of Applied and Emerging Sciences. 11 (2): 157–165 – via ResearchGate. Currently, every interchange on M-2 is upgraded and provided with the latest M-Tag system for toll payment, but due to unawareness of the common public, the efficiency of the system is low.