Pakistan's Petroleum Minister said that taxes now account for Rs153 [1] per litre of petrol and Rs116 [1] per litre of diesel.

This breakdown arrives as the government manages volatile energy costs and adjusts pricing policies to balance state revenue with public affordability. The transparency regarding tax components follows a period of significant price fluctuations that have impacted transport and consumer costs.

The disclosure occurred on May 2, 2026 [1]. The minister said the tax burden is a primary driver of the retail cost for consumers at the pump. This information was provided to inform the public about the composition of fuel prices during a time of rising costs [1].

Recent pricing adjustments have further complicated the landscape for motorists. On May 2, 2026, the price of petrol increased by Rs26.77 [2] per litre. This adjustment brought the new retail price of petrol to Rs393.35 [2] per litre.

Diesel prices have seen a different trajectory. While the tax component remains at Rs116 [1] per litre, the new retail price for diesel following recent adjustments is Rs380.19 [2] per litre. Other reports indicate a diesel price reduction of Rs32.12 [3] per litre.

The government's detailed breakdown highlights the gap between the international market price of crude oil and the final price paid by Pakistani citizens. By isolating the tax element, the ministry has provided a metric for those questioning the causes of inflation in the energy sector.

“Taxes account for Rs153 per litre of petrol and Rs116 per litre of diesel.”

The revelation that taxes constitute a substantial portion of the per-litre cost suggests that fuel inflation in Pakistan is driven not only by global oil market volatility but also by domestic fiscal policy. This creates a tension where the government relies on fuel taxes for revenue while simultaneously facing public pressure to lower costs to curb broader economic inflation.