Govt mops up Rs180b via petroleum levy in 6 weeks

The federal government has collected more than Rs180 billion from the public under the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) over the past one and a half months, amid heightened regional tensions, it has been revealed. According to sources in the Ministry of Finance, the collection of the levy on petroleum products in Pakistan has increased extraordinarily. They said that during the recent escalation and conflict between the United States and Iran, the government collected over Rs180 billion in the PDL from consumers within approximately six weeks. Data further shows that from July of the current fiscal year to mid-April, a total of Rs1,234 billion has been collected under the petroleum levy. This represents an increase of around Rs400 billion compared to the same period last fiscal year, marking a significant fiscal jump in the country's history. Month-wise figures show that Rs157 billion was collected in July, followed by Rs103.46 billion in August. In September, collections stood at Rs112.85 billion, while October saw Rs143.48 billion collected. In November, the levy collection reached Rs148.36 billion, while December recorded the highest monthly collection of the fiscal year at Rs162.46 billion. In the subsequent months, Rs108.76 billion was collected in January, Rs120.39 billion in February, and Rs139.48 billion in March. During the first 15 days of April alone, Rs38 billion has already been collected. Sources said a major portion of the government's revenue came from imported petroleum products. From July to mid-April, more than Rs598 billion in levy was collected on imported petrol and diesel. Rs635.19 billion in the PDL was collected on products derived from crude oil between July and March.