According to government documents, petrol currently costs Rs254.96 per litre before taxes, levies and other charges, while its retail price stands at Rs391.30. This means the gap between the basic cost and the pump price has reached Rs136.34 per litre.

The latest petrol price, effective from September 26 to September 28, was set at Rs391.30 per litre after a Rs2.02 increase. High-speed diesel (HSD), meanwhile, was reduced by Rs3.59 to Rs408.53 per litre.

The petrol price includes an Rs80 petroleum levy, Rs5 Climate Support Levy and Rs23.68 customs duty. It also includes Rs7.91 for Inland Freight Equalisation Margin, Rs7.87 as the oil marketing companies’ margin and Rs9.98 as the dealers’ margin.

An exchange adjustment of Rs1.90 per litre is also included in the calculation.

Diesel also carries multiple charges

Government figures show the basic cost of one litre of HSD at Rs285.85, compared with its retail price of Rs408.53. The difference amounts to Rs122.68 per litre.

The diesel price also includes government levies, customs duty, freight costs and marketing margins. Recent industry reports show that these charges have remained largely steady while changes in international oil prices have affected the underlying import cost.

The latest pricing mechanism has kept fuel prices under close public attention as international oil market volatility continues to influence Pakistan’s petroleum costs.