Pakistan’s fiscal policy continues to draw criticism for slapping a 40 percent tax on sanitary pads, a basic necessity for millions of women, as per the latest investigative report. This outdated levy stands in the way of menstrual equity in a developing economy grappling with inflation and poverty.
Detailed breakdowns in the report reveal that the combined federal and provincial sales taxes push the cost of a pack of pads beyond affordability for many households. In urban slums and remote villages alike, women resort to unhygienic alternatives like rags or leaves, inviting severe health complications including urinary tract infections and toxic shock syndrome.
The persistence of this tax traces back to broad-based sales tax applications without exemptions for hygiene products. While Pakistan has introduced some subsidies for food grains, menstrual products remain overlooked. Advocacy groups compare this to successful models in Bangladesh, where taxes were slashed, boosting usage rates and female workforce participation.
Public sentiment is boiling over, with protests in major cities like Lahore and Karachi demanding tax waivers. Influencers and NGOs are amplifying voices, sharing stories of girls missing school during periods due to unaffordable pads. Economists counter the revenue argument, noting that tax relief could stimulate local manufacturing and reduce smuggling of cheaper imports.
The report concludes with a roadmap for change: reclassify sanitary products, offer incentives for domestic production, and integrate menstrual health into national budgets. With elections on the horizon, this issue could sway voter priorities, forcing policymakers to confront the human cost of their tax choices.
