Pakistan collected more than PKR 180 billion in petroleum development levy (PDL) during the past six weeks amid heightened tensions linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict, according to finance ministry sources.
Total petroleum levy collections reached PKR 1.234 trillion in the current fiscal year from July through mid-April, significantly higher than the same period last year, sources said. The figure marks an increase of nearly PKR 400 billion compared with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.
In March alone, the government collected PKR 52 billion more than it did in the same month last year, reflecting higher fuel consumption and sustained levy rates.
Monthly collections showed steady inflows: PKR 157 billion in July, PKR 103 billion in August, PKR 112.85 billion in September, PKR 143.48 billion in October, PKR 148.36 billion in November, and PKR 162.46 billion in December.
Collections stood at PKR 108.76 billion in January, PKR 120.39 billion in February and PKR 139.48 billion in March, while about PKR 38 billion has been collected so far in April.
According to finance ministry data, more than PKR 598 billion was collected from imported petrol and diesel between July and mid-April. Meanwhile, PKR 635.19 billion was generated from levies on refined petroleum products derived from crude oil between July and March.
Analysts say the sharp increase in petroleum levy collections underscores the government’s reliance on indirect taxation to support fiscal targets amid external pressures.
“Higher petroleum levy collections are helping the government stabilize revenues in the short term, but they also increase the cost burden on consumers and businesses,” said an energy and macroeconomic analyst based in Karachi. “Sustaining this strategy over the long term could have inflationary consequences, especially if global oil prices remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions.”
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