Petrol, Diesel Prices Increased Again in Pakistan

The federal government has increased petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan for August 19, 2026, adding fresh pressure on motorists, transporters and households already facing repeated changes in fuel costs. The revised rates were issued after approval from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, according to a notification cited by the Petroleum Division on Tuesday.

Under the latest revision, the petrol price has been raised by Rs3.34 per litre. Following the increase, the new petrol rate has been fixed at Rs334.54 per litre, making routine travel, private transport and fuel-based household expenses more expensive for consumers across the country.

High-speed diesel has also become costlier, with the rate increased by Rs5.27 per litre. The new diesel price now stands at Rs395.69 per litre, a development that is likely to draw close attention from goods transporters, farmers, public transport operators and businesses dependent on road logistics.

The Petroleum Division said the notification was issued after OGRA’s approval. The announcement comes at a time when fuel pricing has become a closely watched national issue because even small daily or short-term adjustments can quickly influence transport fares, food supply chains and the cost of essential goods.

The latest fuel revision follows an earlier decision by the Economic Coordination Committee to raise petroleum dealers’ margins by Rs1.34 per litre. The dealers’ margin was increased from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per litre, a move the government said was aimed at addressing demands from petrol pump operators.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the ECC meeting virtually at the Ministry of Finance, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed on the decision and supported the increase. The government’s acceptance of the revised margin helped defuse a potential disruption in fuel supply at retail outlets.

Following the assurance from the government, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association postponed its planned nationwide strike for August 15. The association had earlier warned of shutting down petrol stations, but later confirmed that pumps across the country would remain open after the margin-related commitment.

Fuel prices remain one of the most sensitive economic indicators in Pakistan because they directly affect inflation expectations and public sentiment. Petrol is widely used by motorcyclists, car owners and ride-hailing drivers, while diesel is central to freight movement, agriculture machinery and intercity transport.

For businesses, the diesel increase may be especially significant because higher logistics costs can move through supply chains and eventually reach consumers through higher prices of goods. For households, the petrol hike could further stretch monthly budgets, particularly for commuters who rely on motorcycles and private vehicles for daily travel.

The next focus will be whether the revised rates remain stable or change again under the government’s pricing framework. Consumers, transport groups and petroleum dealers are expected to closely monitor further notifications from the Petroleum Division and OGRA as Pakistan continues adjusting domestic fuel prices amid market and policy pressures.