Govt Increases Petrol Price By Rs9.66 Per Litre

The price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has dropped by Rs3.32 per liter.

Govt Increases Petrol Price By Rs9.66 Per Litre

The federal government raised the price of petrol by Rs9.66 per liter for the next two weeks in response to a rise in worldwide crude costs. 

However, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has dropped by Rs3.32 per liter.

The higher fuel rates will take effect on April 1, according to a Finance Division statement. 

"The price of petrol (motor gasoline) has increased in the international market during the last fortnight, while the price of HSD has marginally declined," the statement said.

The price changes are consistent with the government's goal of passing on pricing fluctuations in the foreign market to the local market. The consumer price of HSD has accordingly decreased once again, after a downward revision in the middle of March 2024," it added. 

Every 15 days, the government analyzes fuel rates and modifies them in response to global oil price fluctuations and the local currency's exchange rate. The rupee has risen marginally against the dollar since the previous price review, trading at approximately 277.94 per dollar on Friday.

The latest hike in fuel prices comes after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's administration left petrol prices constant in the previous weekly review since taking power earlier this month. It reduced HSD pricing by Rs 1.77 per liter. 

Pakistan, which imports around 85% of its oil, has been dealing with a balance-of-payments issue and rising inflation.

Higher prices for fuel would increase the cost of life and transportation in the entire country, where petroleum product sales fell 19% year on year in February. The reduction was mostly due to decreasing gasoline and diesel sales as consumers cut back on spending during the economic downturn. The government charges Rs 60 per liter for the petroleum development levy (PDL) on petrol and HSD.