Fuel prices surge for fifth straight day, with diesel crossing Rs400 a litre as global oil markets remain volatile amid Middle East tensions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices for the fifth consecutive day, taking petrol to Rs375.82 per litre and diesel to Rs403.32, as rising international oil prices continue to put pressure on the domestic market.
Under a Petroleum Division notification, petrol was increased by Rs5.02 per litre, while high-speed diesel (HSD) rose by Rs5.28. The new prices will remain effective from September 12 to September 14.
The latest adjustment follows a series of increases announced over the past several days. Petrol has risen by Rs29.95 per litre in five days, while diesel has increased by Rs25.27 over the same period.
The latest hike has pushed the price of HSD above Rs400 per litre for the first time during the current surge.
Transporters raise fares
The continued increase in fuel prices has prompted the All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance to announce a 5% increase in goods transport fares.
Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan criticised the repeated increases and said the government’s practice of changing petroleum prices on a daily basis was unacceptable.
He said transporters had postponed a planned nationwide strike for 40 days following government assurances. That period is due to expire next week.
Awan said the alliance would announce its next course of action after the 40-day deadline, indicating that further action could follow if the issue remains unresolved.
The increase in freight charges could add to transportation costs and put further pressure on the prices of goods.
JI plans Islamabad march
Separately, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a march towards Islamabad on September 20 to protest against the petroleum levy.
The planned demonstration comes as higher fuel prices raise concerns over their wider impact on consumers, transport operators and businesses.
Global oil markets under pressure
The latest increase in Pakistan comes amid continued volatility in international oil markets, driven in part by escalating tensions across the Middle East.
Oil prices declined on Friday but remained on course for a weekly gain of more than 9%. US diesel prices also reached a record high as attacks along Middle Eastern shipping routes heightened concerns about prolonged disruptions to global supplies.
Brent crude futures fell $2.46, or 2.29%, to $105.17 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude declined $2.44, or 2.38%, to $100.04.
Both benchmarks had earlier reached their highest levels since mid-May.
The decline came after reports that Middle Eastern foreign ministers were working on a temporary arrangement with Iran to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, briefly easing some concerns in the oil market.
However, uncertainty over regional security and supply routes continues to keep crude prices elevated.
For Pakistan, where petroleum products are closely linked to international oil prices, sustained volatility could keep domestic fuel costs under pressure. The latest increase is already feeding into transport fares, while the planned JI demonstration signals growing political opposition to the rising cost of petroleum products.
