Record petroleum levy collection as citizens face costliest fuel prices

Record petroleum levy collection as citizens face costliest fuel prices
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Summary The government collected a record Rs3,137bn in petroleum levies in 2.5 years, while petrol and diesel prices rose sharply, adding to consumers’ financial burden.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The current federal government has completed two and a half years in office, during which citizens have faced record-high petrol and diesel prices as well as a heavy burden of petroleum levies.

According to media reports, the government collected a record Rs3,137 billion from citizens in petroleum levies during the period, while the price of a litre of diesel increased by up to Rs233 and petrol by Rs178.66.

Government documents show that the federal government collected a record Rs3,137 billion in petroleum levy, with consumers bearing the burden through higher prices of petroleum products.

At the start of the current government’s tenure on March 4, 2024, the price of high-speed diesel stood at Rs287.33 per litre and later reached Rs520.35. The price of petrol was Rs279.75 per litre at the time and reached Rs458.41 per litre for the first time in the country’s history.

During the current government’s tenure, the price of high-speed diesel increased by Rs233 per litre, while petrol became Rs178.66 more expensive per litre.

According to government documents, the federal government collected Rs1,567 billion in petroleum levy during fiscal year 2025-26. In addition, more than Rs50 billion was separately collected as carbon levy on petrol and diesel.

During fiscal year 2024-25, Rs1,220 billion was collected under the petroleum levy, while Rs299.63 billion was collected during the April-June 2024 quarter.

At present, a petroleum levy of Rs80 per litre is imposed on both petrol and diesel. A separate climate support levy of Rs5 per litre is also being collected on each fuel.