Pakistan collects Rs 180b additional petroleum levy in six weeks

Pakistan has collected an additional Rs 180 billion in petroleum levy over the past one and a half months, according to Finance Ministry officials, highlighting a sharp rise in fuel-related revenues during a period of frequent adjustments in petroleum prices.

Officials said Rs 52 billion more was collected in March 2026 alone compared to the same month last year. Overall, petroleum levy collections from July to mid-April reached Rs 1,234 billion, reflecting an increase of around Rs 400 billion compared to the previous fiscal year. The surge comes as the government continued to revise fuel prices in line with international oil market movements and broader fiscal requirements, using petroleum levies as a key source of non-tax revenue.

In recent months, petrol and diesel prices have seen multiple upward revisions driven by fluctuations in global crude prices, exchange rate pressures, and adjustments linked to IMF-backed fiscal targets. These increases have contributed directly to higher revenue collection, even as they added to inflationary pressure on consumers and transport costs across the country.

Monthly figures show consistent inflows throughout the fiscal year, including Rs 157 billion in July, Rs 103.46 billion in August, Rs 112.85 billion in September, Rs 143.48 billion in October, Rs 148.36 billion in November, Rs 162.46 billion in December, Rs 160.76 billion in January, Rs 120.39 billion in February, and Rs 139.48 billion in March. Officials say the rising trend reflects both higher fuel consumption patterns and increased per-litre levy adjustments introduced during the year.