Safiya Aftab

“The levy was originally meant as a sort of environmental tax, to discourage the use of petrol. Now it has become a full revenue earner for the government, one that helps keep the fiscal deficit down,”

Safiya Aftab · said 2026-10-07 · reported 2026-10-07

Aftab pointed out that the petroleum development levy has shifted from an environmental tax to a major government revenue source.

“The scheme has indeed reached low-income segments of society, people who typically use two-wheelers and 800cc cars. So yes, it’s a good thing that they are subsidising the poor,”

Safiya Aftab · said 2026-10-07 · reported 2026-10-07

Aftab told Al Jazeera the fuel subsidy scheme has reached the low-income segments it was designed for.