Pakistan Announces Plan to Abolish Sales Tax on Sanitary Pads
The federal government will remove the sales tax on sanitary pads and related products, citing health and economic benefits.
Pakistan's federal government announced plans to abolish the sales tax on sanitary pads and related products.
Finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said sanitary towels and related items are daily necessities indispensable for women's health, dignity and full participation in social activities, according to The Guardian.
The government also classified sanitary pads and contraceptives as essential health products rather than luxury items, reported by thecurrent.pk. The policy aims to address period poverty, reduce financial burdens on low‑income households, and remove barriers that restrict women and girls from participating in education and the workforce, also per thecurrent.pk.
By eliminating the tax on contraceptives, the government intends to expand access to family planning services, lower reproductive health costs and improve maternal and child health outcomes, according to thecurrent.pk.
A petition filed in September 2025 in the Lahore High Court by activist Mahnoor Omer challenged the taxation of sanitary products, reported by thecurrent.pk.
Middleeasteye reported that Pakistan has ended the sales tax on sanitary products.
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