Municipal committees hike water, property taxes

Residents have one month to file objections to new rates

RAWALPINDI:

As the new fiscal year 2025-26 approaches, municipal committees across Rawalpindi district have introduced steep increases in water tariffs and other taxes, further burdening already frustrated citizens.

In a move dubbed a "water bomb" by locals, water bills have been sharply raised.

In Kahuta, the municipal administrator has increased the residential water bill from Rs200 to Rs1,500 per month, and the commercial water bill from Rs400 to Rs3,000.

A new industrial water bill of Rs10,000 per month has also been introduced. Reconnection of disconnected water supplies now requires full payment of dues plus a reconnection fee of Rs5,000.

A 1 per cent municipal tax has been imposed on all property transactions within committee limits.

Fees at slaughterhouses have also risen significantly: for small animals like goats and sheep, the fee has increased from Rs50 to Rs150 per head, and for larger animals such as cows and buffaloes, from Rs100 to Rs300.

Advertisement charges have surged as well.

Shop signage fees are up from Rs5 to Rs15 per square foot per month, hoardings from Rs30 to Rs100, sky signs from Rs24 to Rs80, and digital displays (LCD/VCD) from Rs150 to Rs450.

Advertisement floats have also seen massive hikes as truck and bus floats now cost Rs60,000 per month (up from Rs20,000), while smaller vehicle floats like Shehzore and Suzuki have doubled to Rs30,000 and Rs16,000, respectively.

According to the municipal administrator, residents have one month to file objections to these new rates, after which the revised tariffs will be implemented.