Govt keeps petrol price unchanged, slashes diesel by Rs3 per Litre

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has kept the price of petrol unchanged while slashing the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs3 per litre for the next fortnight, according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance on Saturday.

The revised fuel prices, effective from September 1, set the petrol price at Rs264.61 per litre, while high-speed diesel will now retail at Rs269.99 per litre.

The government also announced reductions in the prices of other petroleum products. The rate of Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) has been reduced by Rs1.46, bringing it down to Rs176.81 per litre, while the price of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) has been decreased by Rs2.40, now costing Rs159.76 per litre.

Petrol is primarily used in motorcycles, rickshaws, and small cars — vehicles commonly used by middle- and lower-income segments of society. As such, fluctuations in petrol prices have a direct impact on daily commuting costs for these groups.

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On the other hand, high-speed diesel fuels a significant portion of the transport and agricultural sectors, powering trucks, buses, trains, and farm machinery, including tractors and tube wells. Due to its widespread usage, changes in HSD prices are considered inflationary, affecting the cost of goods transportation and, ultimately, consumer prices — especially for essential commodities like vegetables and food staples.

This latest revision comes as part of the government’s bi-monthly review of petroleum prices, which are adjusted in line with global oil trends and currency fluctuations.