The credit of introducing tolling culture in Pakistan goes to NLC. Entrusted with the task of collecting toll tax way back in 1999, NLC took a number of steps aimed at increasing revenue generation and providing facilities to the commuters on national highways.

Prior to 1999, toll tax on the national highways was being collected by National Highway Authority (NHA) through civilian contractors. The collection was alarmingly low and the toll plazas were in miserable conditions. Some of these toll plazas were running in loss as well.

In Feb 1999, the then Secretary Communication approached NLC to examine the feasibility of undertaking toll collection operations and maintenance of Lahore - Rawalpindi Section of N-5. Accordingly a feasibility concept paper was prepared and presented to Minister of Communication and NHA. The same was accepted by the Ministry of Communication who also obtained its approval from the then Prime Minister.

On 22 May 1999 the O&M Contract Agreement for ten (10) years (extendable up to 25 years) was concluded between NLC and NHA. Initially, NLC was assigned the tolling operations on Lahore - Rawalpindi Section of N 5, which was started in August 1999. Based on the satisfactory performance of NLC, the operations were extended upto Torkham.Dedicated work done by NLC resulted in increasing the revenue generation of NHA manifold. Since the start of tolling operations in 1999 till Sep 09, NLC has collected over Rs. 15 billions as toll revenue for NHA.

As per National Highway Authority’s Annual Reports, NLC remains the highest Toll Collector for NHA.The professional and efficient handling of tolling operations by NLC has not only introduced a healthy competition in the tolling sector but the general public also now view paying toll tax as civic responsibility.