Citizens bear record Rs3.1 trillion petroleum levy under Shehbaz govt

The Shehbaz government has completed two and a half years in office, during which citizens have been forced to pay the highest-ever prices for petrol and diesel in the country’s history, while also bearing the burden of heavy petroleum levies, according to official documents.

During the current government’s tenure, a record Rs3.137 trillion has been collected from citizens in the form of petroleum levies.

The price of diesel increased by up to Rs233 per litre, while petrol became more expensive by up to Rs178.66 per litre.

According to government documents, the current federal government collected a record Rs3,137 billion in petroleum levies, the burden of which was ultimately borne by citizens through higher prices of petroleum products.

At the beginning of the government’s tenure, on March 4, 2024, the price of high-speed diesel was Rs287.33 per litre, which later rose to Rs520.35 per litre.

Meanwhile, petrol was priced at Rs279.75 per litre and, for the first time in the country’s history, reached Rs458.41 per litre.

In other words, during the tenure of the current government, the price of high-speed diesel increased by up to Rs233 per litre, while petrol became more expensive by up to Rs178.66 per litre.

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

During fiscal year 2024–25, the government collected Rs1,220 billion in petroleum levies, while levy collection during the quarter from April to June 2024 stood at Rs299.63 billion.