Pakistan is grappling with deepening economic distress, with rising poverty across the country. The government, already facing public backlash over hikes in petrol and diesel prices, is now exploring unconventional revenue sources. In a controversial move, it has decided to impose a “dung tax” on cattle waste in Punjab province, sparking widespread debate.
According to reports, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is preparing to levy a daily tax of 30 Pakistani rupees per cow or buffalo. This amounts to approximately ₹10 in Indian currency. Livestock owners will be required to pay this fixed amount per animal every day.
The government has defended the decision, stating that the tax is part of an environmental initiative under the “Suthra Punjab Biogas” program launched in December 2024. Officials claim the primary objective is to ensure proper disposal of animal waste and utilize it for biogas production as a source of green energy.
However, opposition parties have strongly criticized the move, ridiculing it as a “dung tax” and accusing the government of burdening citizens under the guise of environmental reforms. They argue that the decision reflects the severity of Pakistan’s economic crisis and allege that the green energy narrative is merely a pretext to generate revenue. Concerns have also been raised about the additional financial strain on farmers already struggling with inflation.
For implementation, the government has identified around 168 cattle colonies across Punjab, housing an estimated five million cows and buffaloes. The tax will initially be introduced on a pilot basis in major dairy hubs such as Harbanspura and Gujjarpura in Lahore, before being expanded across the province. Authorities have stated that the collected funds will be utilized for waste management, dung collection, and maintenance of biogas plants. Given the difficulty in measuring exact dung output per animal, a standardized tax rate per livestock has been fixed.