What happened
According to Dawn, the Pakistani government has increased fuel prices, raising petrol by Rs1.85 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs1.75 per litre. Following a notification from the Petroleum Division, petrol is priced at Rs377.91 per litre and HSD at Rs399.82 per litre as of Thursday, Oct 29. The government continues to levy Rs114 per litre in duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
Political discussions regarding fuel relief are ongoing. Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to demand the abolition of the petroleum levy. The two sides agreed to establish a joint committee to review expanding an existing relief program that has assisted owners of motorcycles, rickshaws, and vehicles up to 800cc since Sept 17. Rehman stated that his party would march to Islamabad in mid-November if significant relief is not provided.
Key facts
- Petrol increased to Rs377.91 per litre and HSD rose to Rs399.82 per litre.
- The government maintains taxes of Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
- Prices previously hit peaks on April 3, reaching Rs458.41 for petrol and Rs520.35 for HSD.
- Daily price revisions by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority were introduced on July 17 due to global market fluctuations.
- Austerity measures require markets to close by 9pm and reduce fuel for official vehicles by 50 percent for three months.
- Monthly sales for petrol and HSD range between 700,000 and 800,000 tonnes, whereas kerosene sales stand at 10,000 tonnes.
Why it matters
According to Dawn, shifts in fuel pricing directly impact broad sections of the population and the wider economy. Changes in petrol prices primarily affect middle and lower-middle-class households that rely on private vehicles, two-wheelers, and rickshaws. Diesel price changes carry broader economic consequences because HSD is widely used in heavy transport, power generation, and large industrial generators. Furthermore, petrol and diesel serve as primary revenue sources for the state due to high monthly consumption volumes.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 28, 2026 · Photo by Masaaki Komori on Unsplash
