The federal government has increased the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) by Rs2.29 per litre on Friday, taking its rate to Rs402.96, while keeping petrol unchanged at Rs377.91 per litre for the second consecutive day.
The revised prices will remain in effect from October 31 to November 2, according to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
The government continues to charge Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.
The latest revision came amid demands for a reduction in petroleum levies. Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman met Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Tuesday to discuss his party’s demand for the government to abolish the levy and provide relief to consumers.
During the meeting, the government and JI agreed to form a joint committee to consider expanding the existing fuel relief scheme. The scheme, introduced for motorcycle, rickshaw and vehicle owners with engines of up to 800cc, has been in place since September 17.
Rehman also announced that JI will march to Islamabad in mid-November to protest against the petroleum levy if the government fails to announce major relief measures by then.
Last week, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association urged consumers to avoid panic buying, warning that excessive purchases could create distortions in the market.
Diesel prices have fallen from their peak of Rs520.35 per litre, recorded on April 3. Before the increase began following the outbreak of the US-Iran war on February 28, HSD was selling at Rs281 per litre.
Petrol also reached its highest rate of Rs458.41 per litre on April 3, after rising from Rs266 during the first week of March.
The government has also reinstated austerity measures to conserve fuel amid rising prices and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Under these measures, markets must close by 9pm, while fuel allocations for official vehicles have been reduced by 50 percent for three months.
Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and motorcycles, making its price changes particularly relevant to middle- and lower-middle-income consumers. Diesel, meanwhile, is used in heavy transport, power plants and large generators, meaning changes in its price also affect the wider public.
