The Punjab government has decided to impose a 0.90 percent cess on imports and exports under amendments approved to the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Act 2026.
The Punjab Assembly passed the Punjab Infrastructure Development Cess Amendment Act 2026 through a majority vote.
According to the amended law, a 0.90 percent cess will be imposed on goods produced, manufactured, consumed, imported, or exported through Punjab.
The law also applies to imported goods passing through Punjab’s territorial limits, expanding the scope of the infrastructure cess framework.
Under the amendments, the relevant authority will appoint cess officers with powers to monitor, inspect, and verify goods subject to the levy.
Authorities will also be allowed to establish checkpoints at entry, exit, and other designated locations across Punjab for enforcement purposes.
The amendments further authorize cess officers to seek assistance from the Customs Department and law enforcement agencies whenever required.
Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman said the cess is not a new tax and has existed for years, adding that the government is only improving and restructuring the system.
He stated that the levy mainly applies to goods entering or leaving the country through customs channels and argued that Punjab currently collects significantly less revenue under the cess compared to Sindh.
According to the minister, Sindh generates around Rs. 170 billion annually through similar charges, while Punjab currently collects only around Rs. 9 billion to Rs. 10 billion. The bill will become law after final approval from the Governor of Punjab.
Export already declining, these corrupt govt imposing tax on Export
Nawaz sharif when was CM abolished all check points in district and municipal limits and also abolished tax collected by district govts now his daughter is imposing it in new form