The Pakistan government has announced an increase in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), effective Friday. This decision reflects ongoing economic pressures faced by the country. The revised rates were reported by the Pakistan-based daily DAWN.
Key Statements
Earlier, Pakistan Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had announced that fuel prices would be determined on a daily basis in view of volatility in international markets. In April, the federal government also announced targeted relief measures to provide subsidised fuel. The Pakistan government had been announcing weekly fuel price revisions since early March, along with fuel conservation measures amid concerns over possible disruptions to oil supplies due to the conflict in West Asia.
The minister said the Cabinet and Prime Minister had decided to give the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) the responsibility of determining fuel prices daily based on international market trends. The decision to shift to daily pricing was opposed by the All Pakistan Dealers Association, which said it would consider a protest plan.
Political Context
The government continues to levy Rs 114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs 100 per litre on diesel, according to the Petroleum Division’s notification cited by DAWN.
