A new analysis based on data from Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority and the Ministry of Energy reveals that consumers in Pakistan are paying nearly Rs145 per litre in petrol taxes.
According to the report by Mountain Ventures, the maximum depot price of petrol stands at Rs414.78 per litre as of May 9, 2026.
Out of this total price, Rs144.26 per litre—approximately 34.8 percent—consists of various taxes and levies imposed on consumers.
The largest share of this tax burden comes from the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL), which alone accounts for Rs117.41 per litre.
In addition, customs duty contributes Rs24.35 per litre, while a climate support levy adds another Rs2.50 per litre to the overall cost.
The actual base cost of petrol is Rs246.76 per litre, representing about 59.5 percent of the retail price, while marketing and distribution costs amount to Rs23.76 per litre.
A comparison with high-speed diesel shows a lower tax burden, with diesel taxed at Rs76.16 per litre—nearly half of petrol—highlighting a significant pricing imbalance driven mainly by higher levies on petrol.
