What happened
The Pakistani government has increased fuel prices, raising petrol by Rs2.31 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Re0.78 per litre, according to Dawn. A notification issued by the Petroleum Division stated that the new rates are effective from Friday, October 9. Under the revised pricing, petrol now costs Rs398.96 per litre, while HSD is priced at Rs395.72 per litre.
Key facts
- The government maintains taxes and duties of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
- Fuel prices previously reached record highs on April 3, with petrol reaching Rs458.41 per litre and HSD hitting Rs520.35 per litre, following price rises triggered by the US-Iran conflict in late February and early March.
- Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik previously announced on July 17 that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) would adjust fuel prices on a daily basis based on international market trends, moving away from the weekly revisions introduced in March.
- In response to Middle East conflict pressures, the government implemented austerity measures requiring markets to shut by 9pm and reducing fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50 percent for three months.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced a relief program on September 13 targeting users of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles up to 800cc, following targeted fuel subsidies announced earlier in April.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, price updates for petrol directly impact middle and lower-middle-class citizens because the fuel is mostly used in two-wheelers, rickshaws, and small private vehicles. Changes to diesel prices affect the general public more broadly, as it drives heavy transportation, power plants, and large generators. Petrol and HSD represent the primary revenue drivers in the sector, recording monthly sales of 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes, compared to a monthly kerosene demand of 10,000 tonnes.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 09, 2026 · Photo by Mikey on Unsplash