New M-Tag Installation Points Set Up in Islamabad
The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has introduced two additional M-Tag installation counters in the federal capital to ease public rush, improve service efficiency, and provide better accessibility for both journalists and the general public. As M-Tag registration becomes increasingly essential for travel on motorway routes, especially during peak travel seasons, the city administration has been under pressure to expand its facilities and reduce long waiting lines. The latest expansion marks a significant step in improving the overall registration experience for thousands of motorists.
The new counters have been set up at Islamabad Press Club and Parade Ground, two high-traffic locations strategically chosen to accommodate different segments of the population. This move reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline the registration process and ensure that citizens can obtain their M-Tags without lengthy delays or procedural hurdles.
Special M-Tag Counter for Journalists at Islamabad Press Club
One of the newly established counters has been set up at the Islamabad Press Club, exclusively aimed at facilitating journalists. Media workers often face time constraints due to irregular schedules, reporting duties, and field assignments, which makes it challenging for them to visit regular M-Tag centers during peak hours. Recognizing these challenges, the ICT administration collaborated with the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and the Excise and Taxation Directorate to create a dedicated space where journalists can receive quick and streamlined service.
Officials said that establishing this counter was necessary to ensure that media personnel, who frequently travel for professional duties, can complete their registration without interruption to their work schedules. The dedicated counter is expected to significantly reduce waiting times for journalists who previously had to stand in long queues at general-public facilities.
The administration has deployed trained staff at the Press Club counter, ensuring proper verification, issuance of tags, and handling of technical queries. The decision has received positive feedback from the journalist community, many of whom have appreciated the government’s efforts to recognize their needs.
Additional Public Counter Established at Parade Ground
To further improve service availability for the general public, the government has opened another M-Tag installation counter at Parade Ground. This new center has been set up to reduce pressure on existing facilities that have been experiencing heavy footfall, particularly in the past few weeks.
The Parade Ground installation point has been designed to accommodate a higher number of visitors with multiple service desks, improved management, and extended operational hours. According to officials, the Director of Excise and Taxation is personally visiting all operational centers — including the new Parade Ground counter — to ensure that the process remains smooth, efficient, and free of delays.
The location offers easier accessibility for residents of both central and eastern parts of Islamabad, while also serving people who travel from Rawalpindi. Given the large-scale use of motorways for intercity travel and daily commute, the new counter is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and improve the overall registration experience for the public.
Kachnar Park I-8 Center Faces Heavy Crowds
One of the reasons behind the establishment of these new counters is the excessive public rush at the Kachnar Park (I-8) installation point. The center has been facing unusually high traffic for several weeks, resulting in long queues and delays. The ICT administration has urged residents to shift towards the Parade Ground counter instead, as it is better equipped to handle large numbers of applicants.
The administration clarified that while all centers are operational, the opening of new facilities is part of a larger strategy to distribute the workload more evenly across Islamabad. Officials also stated that additional support staff may be assigned to Kachnar Park if the rush continues, ensuring a smoother experience for applicants.
Improved Monitoring and Service Standards
In addition to opening new counters, the administration has implemented strict monitoring measures across all M-Tag installation points in Islamabad. The Director of Excise and Taxation has been actively inspecting each center to ensure:
- Efficient management of public queues
- Quick processing and minimal waiting times
- Availability of technical support for M-Tag activation
- Proper verification of documents
- Timely service delivery
These inspections are aimed at maintaining uniform service standards and avoiding complaints from the public. Officials say that frequent monitoring has already resulted in improved service quality across multiple centers.
Why M-Tag Registration is Becoming More Important
In Pakistan, especially in major cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the use of the motorway network has increased significantly. M-Tag registration has become compulsory for vehicles using M-1, M-2, M-3, M-9, and other major motorway routes. Without a valid M-Tag, vehicles cannot enter the motorway system.
The rise in travel flows, especially ahead of winter holidays, public events, and seasonal migrations, means that more motorists are seeking M-Tags at the same time. This sudden spike in demand often causes overcrowding at installation points. The expansion of counters is therefore a timely move aimed at preventing congestion and ensuring efficient service.
Future Expansion Plans
Authorities have indicated that more M-Tag counters may be established soon in response to the increasing public demand. Locations under consideration include major commercial areas, government buildings, and public transport hubs. Mobile registration units, similar to those used in other cities, may also be deployed in Islamabad in the future.
The administration believes that these steps will not only reduce the burden on existing centers but also encourage more people to complete their registration without delay.
Conclusion – New M-Tag Installation Points Set Up in Islamabad
The establishment of two new M-Tag installation counters — one at the Islamabad Press Club for journalists and another at Parade Ground for the general public — represents a major step toward improving service accessibility and reducing congestion at existing centers. With the Kachnar Park I-8 facility currently overcrowded, these new counters are expected to ease public pressure and streamline the registration process.
The ICT administration, in collaboration with FWO and the Excise and Taxation Directorate, aims to make M-Tag registration quicker, smoother, and more user-friendly. As motorway travel becomes increasingly common, such expansions are essential to ensure that all citizens can obtain their M-Tags conveniently and without unnecessary delays.
