The federal government has quietly taken a significant step toward improving Balochistan’s long-neglected road network by linking a new petroleum levy directly to highway development in the province.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik confirmed that an additional levy of Rs. 7 to Rs. 8 per litre has been imposed on petroleum products specifically to finance road projects in Balochistan. So far, this surcharge has generated Rs 66 billion, an amount that has already been transferred to the Planning Commission for project planning and execution.
Pervaiz clarified that the Rs 66 billion figure reflects collections up to September, and that updated data for the months that followed will be shared later, suggesting that the total pool of funds could grow further as the fiscal year progresses.
What This Means for Balochistan
For many people in Balochistan, roads are not just infrastructure — they are a lifeline. Large parts of the province still struggle with:
• Long, dangerous travel times between cities and villages
• Limited access to hospitals, schools, and markets
• Poor connectivity to national highways and economic hubs
Read more: Groundbreaking of petroleum levy-funded Karachi-Quetta-Chaman highway
If the petroleum levy is genuinely used as promised, the Rs 66 billion fund can help:
• Upgrade key highways and inter-district roads, reducing travel times and accidents
• Improve access to remote areas, allowing patients to reach hospitals faster and students to travel safely to educational institutions
• Support local businesses and farmers, who often face high transport costs due to broken or incomplete roads
Impact on Economy and Daily Life
Better roads in Balochistan will not only benefit the province but also strengthen national connectivity, especially with key trade routes and economic corridors passing through the region. Improved road networks can:
• Encourage private investment in logistics, mining, tourism, and agriculture
• Create jobs during construction and maintenance
• Lower vehicle maintenance costs and fuel consumption due to smoother routes
At the same time, the levy does make fuel slightly more expensive, which can be felt by ordinary citizens and transporters. The government’s real test will be ensuring transparency — people paying more at the pump will expect to actually see new and improved roads on the ground.
If this project is managed honestly and efficiently, this petroleum levy could become a glaring example of how targeted taxation can directly fund development in Pakistan’s most underserved region, turning an extra few rupees per litre into
- Safer roads
- Stronger connectivity
- Better opportunities for Balochistan’s people