Minister of State for Finance, Ali Pervaiz Malik.
ISLAMABAD:
The government has raised more than Rs 66 billion through the recent oil tax hike, the Senate was told on Thursday, as a lawmaker questioned why fuel prices have not fallen despite falling global oil rates.
Replying to a question raised by Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government had increased the tax by Rs 8 per liter on petrol and Rs 7 per liter on diesel, effective April 16, 2025.
The senator noted that the prime minister had indicated that the additional revenue would be used to improve the N-25 highway and asked for details on the amount raised and funds transferred for this purpose.
The minister informed the House that the enhanced tax generated Rs 66.13 billion from April 16 to September 30, 2025. However, he clarified that the tax once collected is deposited in the Federal Consolidated Fund and its allocation for public infrastructure projects does not fall within the mandate of the Petroleum Division.
He said questions regarding the utilization of the tax for the N-25 project should be directed to the relevant ministry responsible for public sector development and budget.
Later, in response to a question from Senator Jan Muhammad, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry briefed the Senate about the electricity import agreement between Pakistan and Iran, particularly for supply to Makran division.
He said that the electricity import contract, originally signed on November 6, 2002, underwent its tenth modification on December 27, 2024.
