In a significant policy shift aimed at improving menstrual health and gender equality, the Pakistan government has announced plans to abolish the sales tax on sanitary products, a move that campaigners have hailed as a major victory in the fight against period poverty.
The announcement was made by Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, who described sanitary products as essential items necessary for women’s health, dignity and participation in daily life. He said the government intends to remove the existing sales tax imposed on sanitary pads and related menstrual hygiene products, acknowledging that such items should not be treated as luxury goods.
The decision follows months of advocacy by young activists and legal experts who challenged the taxation policy in court. Lawyers Mahnoor Omer and Ahsan Jehangir Khan had filed a petition seeking the complete removal of taxes on menstrual hygiene products, arguing that the levy unfairly burdened women and effectively functioned as a “pink tax.” Their campaign gained widespread attention across social media platforms and attracted substantial public support through online petitions and awareness drives.
Currently, locally manufactured sanitary products in Pakistan are subject to an 18% sales tax, while imported products face an additional customs duty of 25%. Rights groups and health advocates have long argued that these taxes make essential menstrual products unaffordable for a large segment of the female population, particularly those from low-income households.
Studies have indicated that the high cost of commercial sanitary products forces many women and girls in Pakistan to rely on cloth or homemade alternatives. Health experts warn that the use of unhygienic menstrual materials can increase the risk of infections and other health complications. Limited access to safe menstrual products has also been linked to school absenteeism among girls and reduced participation of women in workplaces and public life.
Women’s rights organisations welcomed the government’s decision, calling it an important step toward recognising menstrual health as a public health issue. However, activists stressed that the tax removal alone would not eliminate period poverty. They argued that broader measures are needed, including affordable access to menstrual products, improved sanitation facilities, clean water availability and greater awareness about menstrual health.
Campaigners noted that social stigma surrounding menstruation remains a major challenge in Pakistan. They believe the government’s decision could help normalise discussions around menstrual health and encourage greater attention to women’s needs in public policy.
Alongside the tax relief on sanitary products, the government has also announced the removal of the 18% sales tax on contraceptives. Aurangzeb said the measure was necessary in light of Pakistan’s rapidly growing population and described family planning as a key government priority. The move is expected to improve access to reproductive health services while supporting broader public health goals.
While campaigners celebrated the announcement as a landmark achievement, they maintained that the broader struggle for menstrual justice and reproductive health rights in Pakistan is far from complete. They said sustained efforts would be required to ensure that every woman and girl can access safe, affordable and dignified menstrual healthcare.
