Pakistanis may soon face another increase in petrol prices as the government is expected to revise fuel rates in the upcoming review, with industry estimates pointing toward a noticeable jump in petrol costs.
According to the latest calculations, petrol prices could rise by around Rs4.75 per litre, taking the ex-refinery rate from Rs270.03 to Rs274.77 per litre. The main reason behind the expected increase is the rise in international gasoline prices, which pushed the Free on Board (FOB) rate from $139.03 to $143.01 per barrel.
Although lower premiums and reduced incidental charges offered slight relief, they were not enough to fully offset the increase. Officials also noted that the removal of a previous Pakistan State Oil (PSO) adjustment added further pressure on local petrol pricing.
On the positive side, high-speed diesel (HSD) is expected to remain almost unchanged. Estimates suggest only a minor increase of around Rs0.20 per litre, moving from Rs334.74 to Rs334.93 per litre.
Despite a sharp rise in international diesel prices, lower customs duty and reduced additional costs helped stabilize diesel rates. Industry data shows customs duty dropped by more than Rs20 per litre, helping prevent a major increase for transporters and commercial users.
The exchange rate also remained mostly stable during the review period, hovering near Rs278.9 against the US dollar, which helped reduce further pressure on local fuel prices.
Officials believe petrol consumers may directly feel the effect of rising global oil prices, while diesel users may continue to benefit from policy measures aimed at controlling price fluctuations. Final prices, however, will still depend on government decisions regarding petroleum levy, taxes, and any last-minute adjustments before the official notification.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is based on available reports. Featured image is AI generated for reference only.
