The Balochistan Assembly on Monday passed two resolutions seeking lower taxes on women’s hygiene products and greater representation for minorities in provincial and local government institutions.
The resolution on sanitary products was jointly introduced by female lawmakers from Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), including Shahida Rauf, Ume Kulsoom, Rehman Baloch, and Khair Baloch.
While presenting the resolution, Rehmat Saleh Baloch said menstrual hygiene management should be recognised as a fundamental public health and human rights issue rather than solely a women’s concern.
He cited data from UNICEF showing that nearly 89% of women and girls in Balochistan lack access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products, while only 11% have adequate access.
According to the resolution, the high cost of sanitary items is largely due to multiple taxes and duties, including general sales tax, customs duties, and other levies, which together raise the tax burden on menstrual hygiene products to nearly 40%.
Lawmakers argued that these essential healthcare items were effectively being treated as luxury products because of the heavy taxation.
The assembly recommended that the provincial government formally urge the federal government to either exempt sanitary products and their raw materials from GST and additional sales taxes or reduce the taxes by at least 50%.
The second resolution adopted by the assembly called for stronger minority representation in provincial and local government structures across Balochistan.