The Punjab government has imposed a new garbage tax across the province as part of the “Suthra Punjab” (Clean Punjab) initiative, which aims to improve sanitation and waste management.
This garbage tax took effect starting July 1, 2025, and initially applies to both residential and commercial areas. The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) is responsible for collecting the tax in Lahore.
The garbage tax rates vary depending on the property size and location (urban or rural). Here’s a summary of the monthly tax rates:
For residential areas:
- Urban homes up to 5 marla: Rs 300
- Urban homes 5 to 10 marla: Rs 500
- Urban homes 10 marla to 1 kanal: Rs 1,000
- Urban homes 1 to 2 kanal: Rs 2,000
- Urban homes larger than 2 kanal: Rs 5,000
- Rural homes 2 to 5 marla: Rs 200
- Rural homes 10 marla or more: Rs 400
- Rural homes over 2 kanals: Rs 400
For commercial areas:
- Small shops in urban centers: Rs 500
- Medium-sized shops in urban centers: Rs 1,000
- Large commercial establishments in urban areas: Rs 3,000
- Small shops in rural areas: Rs 300
- Medium-sized shops in rural areas: Rs 700
- Large commercial establishments in rural areas: Rs 2,000
Residents of informal settlements in Lahore and other parts of Punjab are exempt from this garbage tax.
LWMC has started distributing the bills in Lahore as part of this initiative. The funds collected are expected to support improved waste management and sanitation services throughout Punjab.
This tax collection is part of a broader Rs 200 billion “Suthra Punjab” project under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif aiming to provide comprehensive sanitation facilities and door-to-door garbage collection services across Punjab’s urban and rural areas.