ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) on Tuesday approved an increase in margins on petrol and diesel for oil marketing companies (OMCs) and petroleum dealers, while also tightening regulations on used vehicle imports and restricting chloroform imports due to health and environmental risks.
During a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, the ECC authorised an additional Rs2.56 per litre in profit margins for fuel sector stakeholders. According to officials, the decision includes a Rs1.22 per litre rise for OMCs and Rs1.34 per litre for dealers, to be implemented in two phases.
The first increment—61 paise for OMCs and 67 paise for dealers—will take effect with the next fortnightly fuel price adjustment, lifting margins to Rs8.48 and Rs9.31 per litre respectively. The remaining increase is scheduled for June 1, 2026, and will depend on successful digitalisation of sales and inventory systems, with real-time connectivity to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, Federal Board of Revenue and the Petroleum Division.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met in Islamabad to review key economic and administrative matters.
The ECC examined the Circular Debt Management Plan for FY 2025–26 and instructed the Power… pic.twitter.com/mkVVprUoSj
— Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan (@Financegovpk) December 9, 2025
Once fully implemented, OMCs will charge Rs9.10 per litre and dealers nearly Rs9.98 per litre, up from the current Rs7.87 and Rs8.64. The Petroleum Division will report progress to the ECC by mid-2026. The official statement said margin revisions were aligned with CPI for 2023-24 and 2024-25, with upward adjustments capped between 5 and 10 per cent.
Vehicle import regime revised
The ECC also endorsed changes to the vehicle import procedure, retaining only the Transfer of Residence and Gift Schemes while discontinuing the Personal Baggage Scheme. The revised policy aims to curb misuse of facilitative schemes originally intended for overseas Pakistanis and address concerns raised by local assemblers.
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Under the new framework, imports will be subject to commercial safety and environmental standards, the permissible import age will be extended from two to three years, and imported vehicles will be non-transferable for one year. Additionally, the minimum overseas stay requirement has been raised to three years, with at least 850 cumulative days abroad, and vehicles imported under the Transfer of Residence Scheme must originate from the sender’s country of residence.
Chloroform import restricted
The committee also approved restrictions on chloroform (trichloromethane) imports, limiting access to pharmaceutical firms with Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan certification. The move follows industry concerns over its hazardous use in the footwear sector, though Drap noted its essential role in pharmaceutical testing.
The ECC further rejected a concessionary gas tariff request from M/s Ghani Glass and approved supplementary grants: Rs1.28bn for the Pakistan Digital Authority and Rs5bn for the Ministry of Housing and Works. It also cleared the release of funds for PIA Holding Company Ltd to cover pension and medical liabilities of former employees.
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