ISLAMABAD: Already battered by high inflation, consumers face a mixed fuel-price trend as petrol rises by Rs4.61 per litre to Rs393.75, while diesel falls by Rs1.96 to Rs422.08, offering limited relief to diesel users but adding fresh pressure on petrol consumers for September 22.
According to the Petroleum Division, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has revised the ex-depot prices of petroleum products under the federal government’s petroleum pricing mechanism, with the revised prices applicable on September 22, 2026.
The price of Motor Spirit (petrol) has been increased by Rs4.61 per litre, rising from Rs389.14 to Rs393.75 per litre. The latest increase takes petrol closer to the psychologically significant Rs400-per-litre mark and will further raise the fuel expenses of motorists already facing high living costs.
For a consumer purchasing 50 litres of petrol, the latest increase translates into an additional burden of Rs230.50 compared with the previous price. A motorist buying 100 litres would consequently have to pay Rs461 more at the revised rate.
In contrast, the price of High Speed Diesel (HSD) has been reduced by Rs1.96 per litre, declining from Rs424.04 to Rs422.08 per litre. The reduction provides some relief to diesel consumers, although the price remains well above Rs400 per litre.
A consumer purchasing 50 litres of diesel would save Rs98 under the revised price, while a 100-litre purchase would result in a saving of Rs196 compared with the previous rate.
The latest revision therefore produces a contrasting impact across fuel consumers, with petrol users facing a fresh increase in their fuel bills while diesel consumers receive limited relief. The Rs1.96-per-litre reduction in diesel is also smaller than the Rs4.61-per-litre increase in petrol.
The impact of the petrol increase extends beyond individual motorists, as higher petrol prices can add to transportation expenses and increase operating costs for businesses and services that rely on petrol-powered vehicles.
Similarly, although diesel consumers have received a reduction, HSD remains priced at Rs422.08 per litre, keeping the cost of diesel significantly above the Rs400-per-litre level.
The Petroleum Division said the latest revision was necessitated by changes in global petroleum market factors, including Platts rates, premiums and incidentals.
The latest adjustment follows a period of sharp movements in petroleum prices, with consumers continuing to face elevated fuel prices amid broader inflationary pressures.
With the September 22 revision, petrol now stands at Rs393.75 per litre, up Rs4.61 from the previous Rs389.14, while HSD is priced at Rs422.08 per litre, down Rs1.96 from Rs424.04.
The revised ex-depot prices will be applicable on September 22, 2026, with the mixed movement meaning motorists using petrol will bear an additional burden, while diesel consumers will receive comparatively limited relief.