The Punjab government has introduced a new waste tax for all cities and towns in the region. This decision, approved by the Standing Committee on Finance and Development of the Punjab Cabinet, aims to address waste management across the province.
According to the official notification, the waste tax will be levied on both rural and urban residents, as well as on businesses of various sizes. The tax rates will depend on the size of residential properties and the scale of commercial operations.
In rural areas, a monthly waste tax of Rs200 will be charged for houses ranging from 5 to 10 marlas, while larger properties between 10 marlas and 1 kanal will be taxed Rs400 per month. Small businesses and shops in these areas will face a tax of Rs300, medium-sized enterprises Rs700, and larger businesses, factories, and petrol pumps will be charged Rs700 per month.
The notification also specifies that residents of informal settlements (kachi abadis) will be subject to the new waste tax.
In Lahore, the tax rates for urban areas are higher than those for rural areas. The new monthly waste tax rates for urban residences are: homes up to 5 marla (125 sq m): Rs300, homes between 5 to 10 marla (125-250 sq m): Rs500, homes between 10 marla to 1 kanal (250-500 sq m): Rs2,000, and homes larger than 1 kanal (500 sq m): Rs5,000.