The federal government has announced a small relief for the public by lowering fuel prices for the next 15 days. According to the Petroleum Division, petrol has been reduced by Rs2 per litre, while high speed diesel (HSD) has dropped by Rs4.79 per litre. These new rates have applied from December 1.
With the latest cut, the new price of petrol is Rs263.45 per litre, and the new HSD price is Rs279.65 per litre. The revised prices were approved after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) shared its recommendation with the government.
Petrol is widely used in motorcycles, rickshaws, small cars, and daily transport, which means it directly affects the middle and lower middle classes. A slight decrease in price brings some ease for people who depend on fuel for work, travel, and daily needs.
Even though the government has reduced prices, the taxes on petroleum products remain high. The government currently collects around Rs99 per litre on both petrol and diesel. While GST is zero, a major part of the price comes from the petroleum levy and climate support levy, which add Rs80.52 per litre on petrol and Rs79.50 per litre on diesel.
There are also additional charges such as Rs17–18 per litre in customs duty, and around Rs17 per litre goes to oil companies and dealers as margins. These combined charges make fuel prices higher despite international market changes.
Petrol and diesel remain the most used fuels in Pakistan, with consumption reaching 700,000 to 800,000 tonnes per month. In comparison, kerosene consumption is very low at around 10,000 tonnes.
The latest price reduction brings some comfort to consumers, but many people still hope for a bigger drop in the future as inflation continues to affect daily life. If global oil prices fall further, the government may announce more cuts in the coming weeks.