ISLAMABAD – Authorities in Pakistan jacked up petroleum levy on petrol by Rs24.74 per litre, partially offsetting the benefit consumers could have received from declining international oil prices.
According to the latest notification, the ex-depot price of petrol has been reduced by Rs. 4 per litre to Rs. 377.78, while the price of high-speed diesel remains unchanged at Rs. 380.78 per litre. This marks the fourth consecutive reduction in petrol prices, bringing cumulative cuts over recent weeks to approximately Rs. 37 per litre.
Petrol Taxes in Pakistan
| Item | Old Rate | New Rate | Change | ||
| Petroleum Levy (Petrol) | 91.34 | 116.08 | +24.74 | ||
| Petroleum Levy (High-Speed Diesel) | 68.93 | 44.59 | -24.34 | ||
| Petroleum Levy (Kerosene) | 20.36 | 20.36 | No change | ||
| Item | Value | ||||
| Ex-depot petrol price | 377.78 Rs/litre | ||||
| Ex-depot diesel price | 380.78 Rs/litre | ||||
| Kerosene retail price | 280.70 Rs/litre | ||||
Despite the downward adjustment in base prices, the petroleum levy on petrol has been raised from Rs. 91.34 to Rs. 116.08 per litre. The increase significantly reduces the pass-through of international oil price declines to retail consumers.
In contrast, the levy on high-speed diesel has been reduced by Rs. 24.34 per litre, bringing it down from Rs. 68.93 to Rs. 44.59 per litre. The levy on kerosene remains unchanged at Rs. 20.36 per litre, although its retail price has increased by Rs. 8.70 per litre to Rs. 280.70 per litre.
Officials and reports indicate that the overall tax burden on petrol was already around Rs. 125 per litre, including various duties and climate-related charges. The petroleum levy continues to represent a key source of non-tax revenue for the government.
Analysts say the latest pricing adjustments reflect a broader fiscal strategy in which authorities seek to balance revenue requirements with fluctuations in global oil markets. As a result, consumers are only partially benefiting from the recent decline in international crude prices
