ISLAMABAD: The unit price of imported POL products fell by 46 percent during first five months (July – November) of the current fiscal year, yet the retail petrol price increased by 35 percent during the period under review.
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) the import of POL products fell by 16.51 percent to $1.815 billion during first five months of the current fiscal year as compared with $2.17 billion in the same period of the last fiscal year.
At one end where import payment for finished petroleum produces fell by 16.51 percent the quantity of same products has increased by 54.42 percent during the period under review.
The country paid $1.815 billion for the import of 6.08 million metric tons of petroleum products during July – November 2020. However, the payment for POL Products was $2.17 billion for the import of 3.93 million metric tons. Therefore, the unit price came down by 46 percent for the period under review.
On the other hand, the government increased the price of petrol by 35 percent during the period under review. The per liter petrol was Rs74.52 on July 01, 2020 and it was increased to Rs100.69 per liter up to November 30, 2020.
It is interestingly to note that the exchange rate during the period also witnessed appreciation in the local currency. The rupee appreciated by 4.47 percent during the period under review. The rupee was at Rs166.89 to the dollar on July 01, 2020 and it appreciated to Rs159.42 to the dollar on November 30, 2020.
