ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government has announced a sharp increase in petroleum product prices effective April 25 2026 raising petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs26.77 per litre .
Under the revised pricing structure petrol now costs Rs393.35 per litre up from Rs366.58 while high-speed diesel has increased to Rs380.19 from Rs353.42 . The adjustment marks a 7.3% increase for petrol and a 7.5% increase for diesel .
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik attributed the hike to regional tensions pushing up global oil prices stating the government is compelled to pass on the burden due to mounting pressure and agreements with global partners . However reports indicate international petroleum rates remained broadly stable suggesting domestic levies drove the adjustment .
The petroleum levy has been raised to Rs107.4 per litre on petrol as part of fiscal consolidation measures linked to Pakistan’s IMF programme . Total petroleum levy collections have already exceeded Rs1.2 trillion in the first nine months of the fiscal year reaching about 82% of the annual target of Rs1.468 trillion .
The price hike is expected to trigger a chain reaction across the economy with transport fares goods delivery charges and daily commodity prices likely to rise further intensifying inflationary pressure on already strained households . Petrol widely used in motorcycles and cars directly affects middle and lower-income commuters. Diesel a backbone of freight transport agriculture and logistics will push up the cost of essential goods nationwide .
Meanwhile kerosene oil and light diesel oil were reduced following a decline in global benchmarks with kerosene cut by Rs63.6 per litre to Rs365 . The next IMF review is expected in early May .
