ISLAMABAD:
The federal government has increased the petroleum levy on petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) despite maintaining fuel prices at existing levels for another week instead of passing on the benefit of declining international oil prices to consumers.
According to figures released by the Petroleum Division, the petroleum levy on HSD increased by Rs6.57 per litre, taking it to Rs79.54 per litre. The government also increased the petroleum levy on petrol by 39 paisa per litre, raising it to Rs66.64 per litre.
However, the levy on kerosene oil remains unchanged at Rs20.36 per litre.
The increase in the levy comes a day after the government decided to keep petrol and HSD prices unchanged for one week despite a decline in international oil prices.
At the same time, the government reduced the price of kerosene oil by Rs6.85 per litre.
According to the notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the new price of kerosene has been fixed at Rs227.05 per litre, down from the previous price of Rs233.90 per litre.
Petroleum Division sources said the increase in the petroleum levy applies only to petrol and HSD, while the levy on kerosene remains unchanged.
The latest revision means consumers will continue paying the same prices for petrol and diesel, while the government’s share through the petroleum levy has increased despite the easing of international oil prices.
Meanwhile, the government has also reduced the price of jet fuel used by commercial aircraft by Rs7.15 per litre. Following the reduction, the new price of commercial aviation jet fuel has been fixed at Rs231.72 per litre.