ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s government on Thursday increased the prices of petrol and High Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs6.51 and Rs19.39 per litre, respectively.
The price of petrol is now Rs399.86 per litre from earlier Rs393.35, with an increase of around Rs6.51, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division.
The price of High-Speed Diesel is now Rs399.58 per litre from earlier Rs380.19, with an increase of 19.39 rupees.
The new prices are effective from Thursday (today).
Petrol, widely used in motorcycles, rickshaws, and private vehicles, directly impacts the budgets of middle- and lower-income households.
Diesel, primarily consumed by heavy transport, agricultural machinery, and railways, has broader inflationary effects due to its role in moving goods across the country.
The Petroleum Division has also rejected social media reports about the closure of petrol pumps from May 1.
Earlier, Pakistan approved a one-month extension for the fuel subsidy previously granted to motorcyclists, public transport operators, and goods carriers across the country, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsing the decision.
According to an official statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Thursday, the decision was taken to maintain financial relief for economically vulnerable groups during ongoing regional uncertainties.
The prime minister directed transport operators not to raise passenger fares or freight charges as a condition of the extended support. He also ordered strict monitoring mechanisms to ensure the subsidies reach their intended recipients.
The targeted relief measures were originally introduced earlier this month to protect bikers, farmers, and transporters from global oil price shocks triggered by the ongoing US-Israel military conflict with Iran.
A day before the subsidy extension announcement, the Prime Minister chaired a federal cabinet meeting where he disclosed that Pakistan’s weekly oil import bill had surged to US$ 800 million, up from approximately US$ 300 million prior to the outbreak of the regional conflict.
