Lahore: The Punjab government has introduced a province-wide garbage tax as part of its ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) initiative, following formal approval from the Cabinet Division.
According to officials, the levy will initially apply to upscale residential and commercial areas, with the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) tasked to oversee revenue collection and operations in Lahore. The tax will later be extended to other districts across the province.
Under the new schedule, households in urban areas on five-marla plots will pay PKR 300 per month, while rural homes of the same size will be charged PKR 200. For urban houses between five and 10 marlas, the tax will be PKR 500 compared to PKR 200 in rural areas. Properties between 10 marlas and one kanal in cities will pay PKR 1,000 monthly, while those in villages will pay PKR 400. Larger homes measuring two to four kanals will be charged PKR 2,000 in urban centres, and properties exceeding four kanals in cities will face a levy of PKR 5,000. In rural areas, homes over two kanals will be taxed PKR 400.
Businesses will also fall under the levy. Small shops in cities will be charged PKR 500 and PKR 300 in villages. Medium-sized outlets will pay PKR 1,000 in urban areas and PKR 700 in rural areas, while large commercial establishments will be taxed PKR 3,000 in cities and PKR 2,000 in villages.
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