ISLAMABAD / RankWire.AI / – Pakistan again increased petrol prices on October 6, building on the rise announced three days prior. The latest fuel adjustment saw petrol jump by Rs0.88 to Rs393.64 per litre. Meanwhile, high-speed diesel decreased by Rs1.88 to Rs397.76 per litre. This move followed the October 3 hike in both fuels, when petrol hit Rs392.76 and diesel reached Rs399.64. The current rates supersede those levels for the October 6 pricing period.
The revision on October 3 elevated petrol by Rs2.10 from Rs390.66 per litre, while high-speed diesel grew by Rs0.30 from Rs399.34. The Petroleum Division attributed the change to fluctuations in international fuel prices and other pricing components, including benchmark rates, premiums, and related costs. The country’s fuel pricing system also incorporates taxes and duties levied on petroleum products, with the federal government currently collecting Rs114 per litre on petrol and Rs100 per litre on high-speed diesel.
On October 6, diesel prices moved downward while petrol continued to climb. Petrol saw an increase of Rs0.88 from the October 3 level, whereas diesel decreased by Rs1.88 after its smaller rise three days earlier. Compared to October 2, petrol is now Rs2.98 per litre higher, whereas high-speed diesel is Rs1.58 lower over the same period. This latest adjustment has widened the price difference between the two key transport fuels sold in Pakistan.
Frequent fuel price changes driven by daily adjustments
Pakistan adopted a daily fuel pricing system in July, replacing the weekly revisions used earlier in the year. This approach allows domestic prices to respond more swiftly to changes in international markets. Consequently, fuel prices can increase or decrease on consecutive days, and petrol and diesel may move in opposite directions during the same review. The decision on October 6 exemplified this pattern, with petrol prices rising and diesel falling. The Petroleum Division continues to announce the updated rates for each pricing cycle.
Despite recent increases, fuel prices remain significantly below their peaks earlier this year. On April 3, petrol reached Rs458.41 per litre, and high-speed diesel climbed to Rs520.35 per litre. In early March, petrol was traded near Rs266 per litre, while diesel was close to Rs281. At the time of the October 6 revision, petrol was Rs64.77 below its April high, and diesel was Rs122.59 lower than its peak. These figures highlight a substantial decline from the levels recorded earlier in 2023.
Transport fuels like petrol and diesel remain vital for Pakistan’s economy
Petrol is extensively used by vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, and rickshaws across Pakistan, whereas high-speed diesel is predominantly consumed by trucks, buses, generators, and other commercial machinery. As a result, the two fuels impact different sectors of the transportation and energy markets. Their prices are also critical to consumers and businesses because fuel expenses directly influence daily operational costs. The federal government continues to impose duties and taxes on both products as part of the national petroleum pricing framework.
For October 6, petrol is priced at Rs393.64 per litre and high-speed diesel at Rs397.76 per litre, replacing the rates from October 3 of Rs392.76 and Rs399.64 respectively. The latest adjustment raises petrol by Rs0.88 and reduces diesel by Rs1.88, continuing the trend of frequent changes under the daily pricing system. The October 3 increase serves as the baseline for the current movement, with the October 6 revision establishing the current official retail rates.