Kerosene jumps as PM freezes petrol, diesel prices

The federal government has raised the price of kerosene by Rs4.66 per litre to Rs433.40, while leaving petrol and diesel unchanged after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intervened to shield consumers from a much sharper increase.

Officials said the freeze on petrol and diesel came despite strong pressure from rising international oil prices. The government has chosen to absorb a significant portion of the burden, with the prime minister saying the state would bear the additional cost rather than pass the full shock to the public.

The decision highlights how global energy volatility and the Middle East conflict are feeding directly into Pakistan's domestic economy. Even with petrol and diesel temporarily protected, repeated changes in fuel pricing continue to raise concerns for households, transporters and businesses.

The latest move reflects a balancing act between political relief for consumers and the growing fiscal strain created by imported energy shocks.