The federal government has proposed the abolition of tax on sanitary pads and contraceptives, classifying them as essential health products rather than luxury items.
This legislative shift follows a September 2025 petition filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) by activist Mahnoor Omer, who challenged the taxation on the grounds that it penalised women for a biological function outside of their control.
The state policy aims to address period poverty, reduce financial burdens on low-income households, and remove barriers that restrict women and girls from participating in education and the workforce.
By eliminating the tax on contraceptives, the government also intends to expand access to family planning services, lower reproductive health costs and improve maternal and child health outcomes in Pakistan, which currently ranks as the fifth most populous nation globally.
Following the announcement, Omer celebrated the development on social media, emphasising the role of public pressure and legal avenues in driving policy reform.
“Congratulations to EVERYONE who lobbied for this, spoke out, refused to stay silent, and kept pushing for change,” she stated.
“The courts can direct the executive, but law-making is solely Parliament’s responsibility. A petition lodged in September 2025 has resulted in affirmative action within just 12 months. The lesson is simple: never underestimate the power of collective action.”
State officials and health advocates have also endorsed the policy shift.
Minister for Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication Fatima Shaza Khawaja publicly supported the legislative change, framing the tax removal as an essential step toward social equity and public health investment.
“Women hygiene is not a luxury,” she wrote in a social media post.
“Removal of taxes from women hygiene products makes them more accessible, helps reduce financial burdens on families and supports the health and well-being of millions of women and girls,” Khawaja added.
She went on to say that the decision reflected the government’s commitment to fairness, equality and empowering women to participate fully in education, work and society without unnecessary barriers.
