Rawalpindi:
As the new fiscal year 2025-26 approaches, the Municipal Committees in the Rawalpindi district have introduced high increases in water and other taxes, carrying even more frequent citizens.
In a movement called a “water pump” by the locals, the water invoices have risen abruptly.
In Kahuta, the municipal administrator has increased the residential water invoice of RS200 to RS1,500 per month, and the commercial water invoice from RS400 to RS3,000.
A new industrial water bill of RS10,000 per month has also been introduced. The reconnection of the disconnected water supplies now requires the full payment of the fees plus a reconnection rate of RS5,000.
A 1 percent municipal tax has been imposed on all property transactions within the limits of the committee.
Rates in slaughterhouses have also increased significantly: for small animals such as goats and sheep, the rate has increased from RS50 to RS150 per head, and for larger animals such as cows and buffalo, from RS100 to RS300.
Advertising positions have also increased.
The store’s signaling rates are from RS5 to RS15 per square foot per month, hoarding from RS30 to RS100, RS24 to RS80 sky signals and digital screens (LCD/VCD) from RS150 to RS450.
The advertising floats have also seen massive walks, since truck and buse floats now cost RS60,000 per month (compared to RS20,000), while smaller vehicle floats such as Shehzore and Suzuki have doubled at RS30,000 and RS16,000, respectively.
According to the municipal administrator, residents have one month to present objections to these new rates, after which the tariffs reviewed will be implemented.
