Allow import of Petrol from Iran and collect tax too. Iranian imported Petrol in Pakistan costs not more than 40 PKR. If govt decides to collect Rs 5 per lit tax on Iranian Petrol even then avg estimated price to consumer will be Rs 45 per lit.
It is simple math & common sense. Someone please tell the government take some decision to reduce the prices and improve the tax collection at the same time.
I don't know why people at helm of affairs can't understand these simple things or they don't have time to think about anything out of the box.
Please educate me what are the reasons of not importing oil from Iran on such a low price. Petrol & Diesel prices are very low in Iran and Pakistani towns near Iran border. We should use our geopolitical location for our economic gains.
The price of petrol is not merely increased to keep up with international prices but also to provide a fair amount of revenue for the Government. Currently, I am estimating that the Government is pocketing Rs. 25 or so on every liter of petrol on account of various taxes, duties and levies.
Coming to Iran:
1. the US has not allowed countries to buy Iranian Oil/Gas and so we are not able to buy from Iran.
2. more importantly, if we start buying from Iran it will piss off Saudi Arabia and UAE and we cannot afford to piss them off, not merely because of their peanut support in terms of keeping 3 Billion USD in the SBP coffers each but because of the large number of expats living in these countries who not only earn a livelihood but also send Billions in remittances each year.
Based on the above, it is not possible to just start importing Oil/Gas from Iran. Furthermore, Iran will not be selling Oil at 30%-40% OPEC rate which is what you are making it to be. The Oil is around USD 85/Barrel which is quite high; well, not as high as it hit during the PPP tenure but still high. You add importation costs (Shipping, lading, insurance), refining cost, distribution cost, profits, taxes/duties/levies etc., the price does go up significantly even when there are almost 159 liters/barrel. From Iran, we may get it at 20%-25% discount based on the proximity and transportation methods which can be made available (pipeline).
Unfortunately, not every decision can be made on best sense, some have to be made keeping the larger interest of the country in mind.
P.S. the oil which is available in towns close to Iran is not refined to the grade which is sold at the pump and is smuggled due to which it is Rs. 50-70 cheaper.