Hospitals and private medical facilities in Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab have reportedly started receiving notices for a newly implemented sewerage tax, under which charges are being calculated at Rs. 2,500 per toilet.
According to the reports, the levy has been issued by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) and applies specifically to commercial properties, including hospitals and private clinics. The development has triggered public debate after multiple healthcare institutions received billing notices based on the number of toilets in their facilities.
Several hospitals have already been issued detailed bills. Lala Iqbal Hospital reportedly received a monthly charge of Rs. 37,500 for 15 toilets, while Nasir Medical Complex was billed Rs. 62,500 for 17 toilets. Doctor Hospital and Trauma Center was sent a bill of Rs. 12,500, and other private surgical facilities were also issued similar notices.
The unusual structure of the tax has led many locals to refer to it as a “toilet tax,” as the total amount is directly linked to the number of toilets in each establishment rather than overall water usage or property size. The move has sparked discussion among healthcare operators and citizens regarding its fairness and implementation.
In some cases, reports also claimed that legal action was taken against a private surgical clinic for failing to pay the levy, including the registration of an FIR. However, officials maintain that the tax is part of a formal regulatory framework.
WASA Deputy Director Amir Naveed clarified that the charge is officially a sewerage tax, not a separate toilet tax. He said the decision was approved at the cabinet level and applies to commercial areas that place a higher burden on the sewerage system due to increased waste output.
Authorities argue that the system is designed to ensure that institutions contributing more to sewerage usage also contribute proportionally to maintenance costs. However, the method of calculation continues to generate public debate and criticism from some stakeholders.
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