RAWALPINDI: The Traders’ Association Rawalpindi on Tuesday rejected the new ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) sanitation tax and warned the provincial government of protests if the tax was not withdrawn.

“Why is there a separate levy for sanitation when property taxes, Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) bills and other charges are already being collected? The government should spare traders from additional financial burdens,” said Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President Markazi Anjuman Tajiran Rawalpindi, while addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club.

“Instead of imposing new sanitation charges on traders, a comprehensive review of existing levies and related bills should be conducted,” he said.

Mr Paracha, along with association General Secretary Raja Tauheed Ahmed and other central office-bearers, rejected the new ‘Suthra Punjab’ sanitation tax.

Say they already pay property taxes, Wasa bills and other charges

They stated that the monthly sanitation fees imposed on shops and commercial centres under the Clean Punjab Programme were unacceptable. The business community—already struggling with inflation, exorbitant electricity and gas bills, various taxes, and rising operational costs—cannot bear any further financial burden, they said.

They demanded that the government of Punjab withdraw the additional levy. “Instead of placing further financial strain on the business community, the government should ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of the business sector’s interests within the existing system,” said Mr Ahmed.

Furniture Association President Sardar Saqib Naseem, Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry President Rana Khurram, China Market President Tariq Khan Jadoon, Malik Association President Malik Waqar and Chicken Association President Zaheer Abbasi alongside a large number of traders were also present.

Mr Paracha and other leaders stated that traders were already paying taxes and service charges to various government departments. Given this, the question arises: since property tax and Wasa bills already include charges for municipal and sanitation services, why is an additional financial burden being imposed on traders through separate sanitation bills under the ‘Suthra Punjab’ (Clean Punjab) initiative? The government must clarify the legal basis and scope of these levies, as well as the distinctions between the services provided for each.

The business community has the right to know exactly which services are being covered by property taxes, Wasa bills, and the new ‘Suthra Punjab’ charges. The mere fact that bills are issued by different agencies does not justify imposing repeated financial burdens for the same type of services, they said.

The traders leaders noted that the business community was already grappling with various taxes included in electricity bills, the requirements of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) system, and other operational business costs.

Under these circumstances, the new charges will further increase the cost of doing business, disproportionately affecting small shopkeepers.

They stated that while ensuring an effective sanitation system was the government’s responsibility, and the business community also desired a clean environment, additional levies in the name of sanitation cannot be accepted until there is clarity regarding existing taxes, charges, and the services provided.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026