The meeting ended with a mutual decision to continue close cooperation between the Ministry of Oil and OGDC to overcome challenges and exploit opportunities within the energy sector. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
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 duty on petroleum products in Pakistan has increased extraordinarily.
They said that during the recent escalation and conflict between the US and Iran, the government collected over Rs 180 billion. in PDL from consumers within approximately six weeks.
Data further shows that from July of the current financial year to mid-April, a total of Rs 1,234 billion has been collected. under the oil tax. This represents an increase of about Rs 400 billion compared to the same period last financial year, marking a significant financial leap in the country’s history.
Monthly figures show that Rs157 billion was collected in July, followed by Rs103.46 billion in August. In September, collections stood at Rs 112.85 billion, while in October, Rs 143.48 billion were collected.
In November, tax collection reached Rs148.36 billion, while December recorded the highest monthly collection of the fiscal year at Rs162.46 billion.
In the subsequent months, Rs 108.76 billion was collected in January, Rs 120.39 billion in February and Rs 139.48 billion in March. In the first 15 days of April alone, Rs 38 billion has already been collected.
Sources said a large part of the government’s revenue came from imported petroleum products. From July to mid-April, more than Rs 598 billion were collected. in tax on imported petrol and diesel. Rs635.19 billion in PDL was collected on products derived from crude oil between July and March.
