Pakistani lawyers fight to end crippling taxes on menstrual products

A landmark legal case in Pakistan is challenging the high taxes on menstrual products. Two young lawyers, Omer and Ahsan Jehangir Khan, argue that these taxes make essential items unaffordable for millions. Their fight comes as period poverty forces many girls to miss school and women to face severe health risks.

In Pakistan, a pack of 10 sanitary pads costs between 400 and 485 rupees—around $1.43 to $1.73. For many, this is not enough to last a full month. With nearly 45% of the population living below the poverty line, these costs are out of reach.

The problem goes beyond affordability. Social taboos around menstruation leave girls uninformed about their own bodies. Some believe they are developing cancer when they first start their periods. This lack of education, combined with financial barriers, means one in five girls miss school during their cycle.

Seasonal flash floods worsen the crisis. Women in affected areas face heightened health risks and mental distress due to poor access to sanitary products. Yet, despite these challenges, menstrual items remain taxed as luxury goods. An 18% sales tax applies to locally made pads, while imported products carry a 25% customs duty.

Omer, 25, and Khan, 29, are pushing to reclassify these items as essential goods. Their case seeks to remove the tax burden entirely. Beyond legal change, they hope to spark wider conversations about reproductive rights and sexual health in Pakistani society.

If successful, the case could make sanitary products more accessible to millions. Removing the tax would ease financial strain on low-income families. The outcome may also encourage greater openness about menstrual health in a country where stigma remains deep-rooted.