The price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) crossed Rs400 per litre after the federal government increased its rate by Re0.85 on Thursday, while petrol prices remained unchanged at Rs377.91 per litre, as international oil prices continued to rise amid concerns over supply disruptions in the Middle East.
The government set the new HSD price at Rs400.67 per litre, effective Friday, October 30, according to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division. It continued to charge Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
The latest fuel price revision came amid calls for the government to reduce the petroleum levy and provide relief to consumers facing rising fuel costs.
On Tuesday, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman met Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and discussed his party’s demand for the removal of the petroleum levy.
Both sides agreed to form a joint committee comprising government and JI representatives to examine ways to expand the existing fuel relief scheme. The programme, which began on September 17, covers owners of motorcycles, rickshaws and vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
Rehman also announced that JI will march towards Islamabad in mid-November if the government fails to announce major relief for the public before then.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association urged consumers on Friday not to make panic purchases, warning that excessive buying could create distortions in the market.
Diesel prices had fallen from a peak of Rs520.35 per litre recorded on April 3. The rate had started climbing from Rs281 per litre after the US-Iran war broke out on February 28.
Petrol had also reached Rs458.41 per litre on April 3 after rising from Rs266 during the first week of March.
In response to rising fuel costs amid the Middle East conflict, the government reintroduced austerity measures, requiring markets to close by 9pm and cutting fuel allocations for official vehicles by 50 percent for three months.
Petrol remained a key fuel for private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles, making its price particularly significant for middle- and lower-middle-income households.
Diesel, meanwhile, remains central to the heavy transport sector, power plants and large generators. Changes in its price affected transport and energy costs.
