By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD: Consumers will face higher fuel costs from Saturday after the government announced another increase in petrol and high-speed diesel prices, pushing both products to new rates for the Aug 22-24 period.
According to the latest notification, petrol has been increased by Rs3.81 per litre, taking its price from Rs337.78 to Rs341.59 per litre.
High-speed diesel has become Rs3.59 per litre more expensive, with its price rising from Rs364.70 to Rs368.29 per litre.
The new prices will take effect on Aug 22 and remain applicable through Aug 24.
The latest revision comes amid more frequent adjustments in petroleum product prices under the government’s revised fuel-pricing mechanism.
For ordinary consumers, the increase means additional spending on daily commuting at a time when petrol is already trading well above Rs300 per litre.
At Rs341.59 per litre, a motorcyclist purchasing 10 litres of petrol will pay about Rs3,416, while 40 litres will cost approximately Rs13,664. A 50-litre purchase would cost around Rs17,080.
The impact of the diesel increase could extend beyond motorists because high-speed diesel is widely consumed by trucks, buses, agricultural machinery and other commercial vehicles.
Transporters typically consider fuel one of their major operating expenses, meaning sustained increases can add pressure to freight and passenger transportation costs.
Higher freight expenses can also have implications for consumers because food, agricultural produce and manufactured goods are transported over long distances by road across Pakistan.
The latest increase follows the government’s decision to raise petroleum dealers’ margins by Rs1.34 per litre, from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98. The federal cabinet ratified the Economic Coordination Committee’s decision, with OGRA directed to implement the revised margin.
What it means
The new rates push petrol above the Rs340-per-litre level and diesel above Rs368, increasing fuel expenditure for households, transport operators and businesses.
Impact
Consumers are likely to feel the most immediate impact through higher commuting expenses, while businesses will closely monitor diesel costs because of their importance for transportation, logistics and agriculture.
Frequent fuel price revisions may also make it more difficult for transporters and businesses to forecast operating costs over longer periods.
What happens next
The Rs341.59 petrol price and Rs368.29 diesel price will remain effective from Aug 22 through Aug 24. The government’s next notification will determine the rates applicable after the current three-day period.
