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Pakistan's government has lowered the price of petrol by Re0.94 per litre and increased the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs0.54 per litre, according to a notification from the Petroleum Division. The new prices, applicable from August 13, bring petrol to Rs324.98 per litre and diesel to Rs382.79 per litre, as reported by Dawn.

Coverage comparison

Dawn's reports across the period covered several consecutive fuel price revisions, reflecting the government's shift to daily pricing. On August 4, the government cut petrol and HSD by Rs4.08 and Rs2.45 per litre, respectively, with Dawn attributing the reduction to falling oil prices after US President Donald Trump called off a planned attack on Iran. The following day, prices were reduced again by Rs3.39 for petrol and Rs4.07 for diesel. On August 6, the trend reversed partially when petrol rose by Rs4.45 per litre while diesel fell by Rs2. On August 7, both fuels were reduced again—petrol by Rs3.19 and HSD by Rs1.50. A further cut of Rs2.20 on petrol and Rs1.50 on diesel was announced effective August 8–10. The latest adjustment, effective August 13, marks a smaller downward move for petrol and an increase for diesel.

Key claims

  • The government reduced the petrol price by Re0.94 and increased the high-speed diesel price by Rs0.54 per litre, effective August 13, as reported by Dawn. Following the revision, petrol retails at Rs324.98 per litre and HSD at Rs382.79 per litre.
  • The government continues to levy Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on HSD, according to the same report.
  • Fuel prices have been set on a daily basis since early August due to fluctuations in international market prices following renewed US-Iran hostilities. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik had earlier announced that the cabinet and prime minister had tasked the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) with deciding fuel prices daily based on international trends, Dawn reported.
  • The price of diesel has come down from a peak of Rs520.35 recorded on April 3, while petrol peaked at Rs458.41 on that date, according to Dawn.
  • The daily pricing decision was rejected by the All Pakistan Dealers Association, which said it would consider a protest plan, as cited in Dawn's reports.
  • In a separate development, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik hinted at a decline in petrol and diesel prices following the clearance of Pakistan's oil cargoes stuck at the Bab-al-Mandeb chokepoint due to Houthi attacks. He said the government had put in place a transparent pricing formula operated by Ogra, based on the weekly average of international markets, Dawn reported.

Perspectives

  • Government/Ali Pervez Malik: The petroleum minister said fuel prices were easing in the global market and that the government had implemented a transparent pricing formula to benefit consumers. He also noted that a committee had been formed to address tanker operators' concerns about quota allocations and freight charges.
  • All Pakistan Dealers Association: The association rejected the move to daily fuel price adjustments and indicated it was considering a protest plan, though no further details were provided in Dawn's reports.