The Punjab government has enacted a new “waste tax” affecting all cities and towns within the region, following approval from the Standing Committee on Finance and Development of the Punjab Cabinet.
This tax will apply to both rural and urban residents, as well as businesses, with rates varying according to the size of residential properties and the scale of commercial operations.
In rural areas, the waste tax will be Rs200 per month for homes ranging from 5 to 10 marlas, and Rs400 per month for properties between 10 marlas and 1 kanal. Small businesses and shops will be taxed Rs300 per month, medium-sized enterprises Rs700, and larger businesses, including factories and petrol pumps, will incur a monthly charge of Rs700.
Additionally, residents of informal settlements, also known as kachi abadis, will be required to pay the new waste tax.
In urban areas, particularly in Lahore, the waste tax rates are higher than in rural regions. For residential properties in Lahore, the tax rates are structured as follows: Rs300 per month for homes up to 5 marla (125 sq m), Rs500 for homes between 5 to 10 marla (125-250 sq m), Rs2,000 for properties between 10 marla and 1 kanal (250-500 sq m), and Rs5,000 for homes larger than 1 kanal (500 sq m).
This new tax aims to manage waste more effectively across the province, reflecting the differing needs and waste production levels in various regions.
