The Pakistan government has kept petrol prices unchanged for the next fortnight despite raising the petroleum levy.
According to an official notification from the Petroleum Division, the petrol prices announced 15 days ago will remain in effect, along with diesel rates. However, the petroleum levy on petrol and high-speed diesel has been increased.
The levy on petrol has been raised by Rs4.65 per litre, taking it from Rs79.62 to Rs84.27 per litre. Similarly, the levy on high-speed diesel rose by Rs0.80 per litre, moving from Rs75.41 to Rs76.21 per litre.
Officials noted that if the petroleum levy had not been increased, petrol prices could have decreased by Rs4.65 per litre, while diesel could have been cheaper by Rs0.80 per litre.
The petroleum levy on kerosene oil has also been increased by Rs1.41 per litre, now set at Rs20.36. The levy on light diesel oil remains at Rs15.84 per litre. Following this revision, the total tax burden on petrol has risen to Rs105 per litre.
Meanwhile, taxes on high-speed diesel, including margins of oil marketing companies and dealers, have crossed Rs100 per litre. Despite these increases, the sales tax on both petrol and diesel remains zero.
Market experts said that the increased levy puts additional financial pressure on consumers, especially as global oil prices remain volatile. The government, however, claims that the revision of the levy is necessary to maintain fiscal balance and ensure the continued supply of fuel.
Consumers are now watching closely, as any future adjustments in petrol prices could directly affect transport costs, commodity prices, and household budgets. The government will review petrol prices again after this two-week period.
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