Pakistan Removes Tax on Sanitary Pads 2026 in Major Budget Relief for Women

Pakistan – (Web Desk) – Pakistan removes tax on sanitary pads 2026 in a historic budget decision that brings real relief to millions of women and girls across the country. The government has cut the sales tax on women’s hygiene products from 18 percent to zero in the federal budget 2026-27.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar made the announcement in the National Assembly on Sunday. He said this move directly answers a long-standing demand from women’s rights groups and activists all over Pakistan.

The “pink tax” has been a burden for years. Women had to pay 18 percent extra on basic hygiene items like sanitary pads and tampons. According to UNICEF, this tax added up to 40 percent to the retail price of sanitary pads, making them too expensive for many women, especially in rural and low-income areas.

The government also removed the 18 percent tax on contraceptives. Tarar said population growth is a serious national challenge, and this step supports better family planning access for all Pakistanis.

Activist Mahnoor Omer, named in TIME magazine’s Women of the Year 2026, was among those who fought hard for this change. She thanked supporters on Instagram after the announcement. Women’s group Mahwari Justice also welcomed the decision, calling it a positive step for menstruators across Pakistan.

Tarar called the 2026-27 budget a “relief budget” and said Pakistan is entering a new era of prosperity through such people-friendly measures.