KARACHI, Feb 21: Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has earned Rs4.1 billion as profit before tax and Rs2.6 billion as profit after tax during July-December 2004, showing a rise of 23 per cent over the same period last fiscal year.

The PSO Board of Management, which met here on Monday to review the half-yearly accounts, announced an interim cash dividend of Rs11 per share, translating into a cash pay out of Rs1.9 billion to its shareholders, Rs4 per share more than the last year period. Board of Management Chairman Pervaiz Kausar presided over the meeting.

PSO sold around five million tons of POL products, translating into sales revenue of around Rs122 billion. The company also enhanced its overall sales volume by 27 per cent over the last year.

Sales volume of white oil surged by eight per cent, whereas that of black oil rose by 74 per cent. Sales of Mogas, HSD and JP-1 soared by 13, seven and 17 per cent, respectively. Fuel oil sales rose by 81 per cent to 1.9 million tons, capturing a market share of 79 per cent, says a press release.