ISLAMABAD: Petrol and high-speed diesel prices have surged again, with petrol rising by Rs4.10 and diesel by Rs6.41 per litre, taking their cumulative increases since September 8 to Rs38.47 and Rs37.78 respectively.
The Petroleum Division said the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), under the federal petroleum pricing mechanism, has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products for September 16, 2026.
Under the latest revision, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has increased by Rs6.41 per litre, from Rs409.42 to Rs415.83, while motor spirit (petrol) has risen by Rs4.10 per litre, from Rs380.24 to Rs384.34.
The fresh prices are applicable for September 16, 2026, according to the Petroleum Division.
The latest increase comes after a series of upward revisions that have sharply raised the fuel burden on consumers, transport operators, farmers, traders and businesses within just over a week.
Since September 8, petrol has increased from Rs345.87 to Rs384.34 per litre, showing a cumulative rise of Rs38.47 per litre. During the same period, HSD has climbed from Rs378.05 to Rs415.83 per litre, registering a cumulative increase of Rs37.78 per litre.
The repeated increases are directly adding to the daily travelling expenses of millions of consumers. Petrol is primarily used by motorcycles, cars, three-wheelers and other light vehicles, making its price particularly relevant to households relying on two-wheelers for commuting to workplaces, markets and educational institutions.
The latest petrol increase will also raise operating expenses for taxis, ride-hailing services, delivery businesses and other light-vehicle users. Operators facing higher fuel bills may seek to recover the additional expense through higher fares and service charges.
The impact of the HSD increase is potentially broader because diesel is extensively used by trucks, buses, tractors, heavy vehicles and commercial transport. The Rs6.41 per litre increase will raise the cost of moving goods from farms and factories to wholesale and retail markets.
Trucks are a major part of the domestic supply chain, transporting food, agricultural commodities, industrial raw materials and consumer goods across the country. Higher diesel prices can therefore increase freight and logistics expenses, adding pressure to the prices ultimately paid by consumers.
The agriculture sector is also directly exposed to diesel prices as tractors and other farm machinery depend heavily on HSD. Agricultural produce also requires diesel-powered transport to reach markets, meaning higher diesel prices can increase cultivation, harvesting and transportation expenses.
Public transport operators, including buses, coaches and vans, will likewise face higher operating costs. Any adjustment in fares to offset increased fuel expenses would ultimately add to the financial burden on commuters.
Businesses operating vehicle fleets and distribution networks will also have to absorb higher fuel expenses. Manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and distributors depend on petroleum-fuelled transport to move goods between factories, warehouses and markets, making fuel prices an important component of logistics costs.
The cumulative increase is significant because it has come through repeated daily revisions rather than a single adjustment. Petrol has risen by Rs38.47 per litre and HSD by Rs37.78 per litre since September 8, substantially increasing the cost of mobility, freight and agricultural operations.
The latest revision takes HSD above Rs415 per litre for the first time in the current series, while petrol has moved close to Rs385 per litre, further intensifying pressure on household budgets, transport costs and business expenses.
The latest increase also comes as the Petroleum Division is separately implementing a targeted fuel relief mechanism for eligible users of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and cars up to 800cc. However, consumers outside the relief programme, along with businesses and transport operators, will continue to face the higher petroleum prices.
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