Govt collects Rs1.2 trillion in petroleum levy in nine months: NA told

ISLAMABAD: The government collected about Rs1.2 trillion in petroleum levy from consumers over the past nine months, according to documents submitted to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Petroleum.

The documents showed that a total of Rs1,205 billion was collected from petroleum products during the period.

According to month-wise data, consumers paid Rs145 billion in July 2025, followed by Rs115 billion in August.

In September, the petroleum levy stood at Rs111 billion, while Rs145 billion was collected in October, the documents showed.

The collection rose to Rs151 billion in November 2025 and further increased to Rs157 billion in December.

In January 2026, Rs124 billion was collected under the petroleum levy, while Rs120 billion was received in February, according to the data.

In March, consumers paid Rs137 billion in petroleum levy, the documents added.

Earlier on Monday, Petroleum Division officials said that the main reason for higher fuel prices is the imposition of a Rs117 per litre petroleum levy as lawmakers questioned recent sharp increases in fuel rates.

The briefing was given to the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, which met with Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and senior officials of the Petroleum Division in attendance.

During the meeting, committee member Saifullah Abro asked officials to explain the petroleum stock position as of February 28, and questioned why petrol and diesel prices had been increased by Rs55 per litre each shortly after that date.

Petroleum Division officials told the committee that after March 1, international prices rose significantly, with diesel reaching around $285 per barrel and petrol about $150 per barrel.

They said that Pakistan currently holds stocks of around 30 days for petrol and 27 days for diesel.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said that the government had also purchased costlier fuel to ensure adequate stock levels, adding that maintaining supplies remained a priority.

He said that Pakistan does not maintain strategic petroleum reserves, and that stocks are held by oil companies.