All towns and cities in the Punjab region must now pay a new “waste tax,” as announced by the administration. This decision was approved by the Punjab Cabinet’s Standing Committee on Finance and Development.
According to the notification, both rural and urban residents, as well as small and large businesses in the province, will be subject to the waste levy. The amount of tax will depend on the size of the residential premises and the volume of commercial activity.
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 rural areas will be taxed Rs300, while medium-sized enterprises will pay Rs700. Larger businesses, factories, and petrol pumps will be charged Rs700 per month.
The notification also states that residents of informal settlements (kachi abadis) will be subject to the new waste tax.
In Lahore, the waste tax rates in urban areas are higher compared to rural areas. The new monthly waste tax rates for urban residences are as follows: homes up to 5 marlas (125 sq m): Rs300; homes between 5 to 10 marlas (125-250 sq m): Rs500; homes between 10 marlas to 1 kanal (250-500 sq m): Rs2,000; and homes larger than 1 kanal (500 sq m): Rs5,000.
