What happened
According to Dawn, the government has increased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.91 per litre, while maintaining the cost of petrol at Rs377.71 per litre. Following this adjustment, HSD now costs Rs393.66 per litre. A Petroleum Division notification indicates that the updated pricing is valid from Saturday, Oct 24, to Monday, Oct 26.
Key facts
- The government continues to impose duties and taxes of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
- HSD costs had previously reached a maximum of Rs520.35 on April 3, rising from Rs281 per litre after the US-Iran conflict began on February 28.
- Petrol prices hit a peak of Rs458.41 on April 3, up from Rs266 in the first week of March.
- To address surging fuel costs during the ongoing Middle East conflict, reinstated austerity measures mandate market closures by 9pm and reduce fuel allocations for government vehicles by 50 percent over a three-month period.
- On July 17, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that the cabinet and prime minister designated the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to determine fuel rates on a daily basis based on global market shifts.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced a relief program on September 13 for operators of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles up to 800cc, following targeted fuel relief measures announced in April.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, petrol price adjustments directly impact lower-middle and middle-class populations, as the fuel is predominantly consumed by two-wheelers, rickshaws, and smaller personal transport. Diesel price fluctuations affect the broader public because the fuel is widely utilized in heavy commercial transport, power stations, and large electricity generators. Furthermore, petrol and HSD serve as the primary sources of fuel revenue, generating monthly sales of approximately 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes, compared to a monthly kerosene demand of 10,000 tonnes.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 23, 2026 · Photo by Jamal Dawoodpoto on Unsplash