The Punjab government has formally introduced a garbage collection tax under its Clean Punjab initiative, with the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) beginning phased distribution of bills in nine towns of the provincial capital.
According to an LWMC spokesperson, the bills are currently being printed and will start reaching households and businesses from next week. Initially, the bills will be distributed in selected towns, with gradual expansion to other areas.
The bills will be delivered by revenue and operational field supervisors, and citizens will be able to pay through banks and online cash applications.
How much will households pay?
The garbage tax has different slabs for urban and rural areas depending on the size of the property:
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Urban areas
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5 marla house → Rs300/month
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5–10 marla house → Rs500/month
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10 marla–1 kanal → Rs1,000/month
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2–4 kanals → Rs2,000/month
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Over 4 kanals → Rs5,000/month
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Rural areas
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Up to 10 marla → Rs200/month
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10 marla–1 kanal → Rs400/month
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Over 2 kanals → Rs400/month
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Charges for shops and offices
The garbage tax also applies to commercial units:
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Urban areas
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Small shops → Rs500/month
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Medium-sized shops → Rs1,000/month
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Large commercial centers → Rs3,000/month
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Rural areas
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Small shops → Rs300/month
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Medium-sized shops → Rs700/month
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Large commercial centers → Rs2,000/month
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The sanitation tax was introduced after the Punjab cabinet’s approval, aimed at generating revenue for improved waste collection and management across the province. The LWMC emphasized that the move would help sustain cleanliness operations and improve services in both residential and commercial areas.
