KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has admitted a petition challenging the imposition of heavy taxes on sanitary napkins, arguing that such hygiene products should be recognized as essential items and exempted from excessive taxation.
The petition, filed by Alisha Shabbir, contends that sanitary napkins are vital for women’s health and should be categorized as basic necessities to ensure affordability and accessibility. The case was heard by Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, who issued notices to all relevant authorities, including the Attorney General of Pakistan, directing them to submit responses within two weeks.
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The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Farhatullah Yaseen, argued that sanitary products are unfairly taxed because they are not listed as essential commodities. He urged the court to include these products in the Sixth Schedule of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, which provides tax exemptions for essential goods. The plea also called for placing the raw materials used in sanitary product manufacturing under the Eighth Schedule to ensure benefits reach consumers directly.
The petition further asserted that the imposition of high sales taxes on sanitary napkins violates women’s constitutional rights to health and dignity, as guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan. The SHC bench has sought replies from the concerned authorities within two weeks.
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In a separate ruling, a two-member SHC bench comprising Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam and Justice Muhammad Hasan Akber declared all commercial activities in public parks and playgrounds across Karachi illegal. The verdict came in response to a Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) petition challenging the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) use of public spaces for business purposes.