The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has imposed caps on bank charges for digital sales of petroleum products, a move aimed at reducing the financial burden on fuel stations.
The central bank's directive follows sustained pressure from petroleum dealers who argued that transaction costs were eroding their margins.
Despite the regulatory intervention, the petroleum dealers' association has responded with caution.
While welcoming the notification, the group warned that the revised fee structures remain "higher than economically justified," suggesting that the cap may not fully resolve the sector's cost pressures.
The development underscores the ongoing tension between digital payment adoption and retail profitability in Pakistan's energy sector.
As the SBP pushes for greater financial inclusion and digital transaction volume, balancing these goals with the operational realities of fuel retailers remains a challenge.