Islamabad, April 30,2026: The government of Pakistan on Thursday increased the prices of petroleum products, raising petrol by Rs6.51 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs19.39 per litre with effect from May 1.
According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs399.86 per litre, while high-speed diesel will now cost Rs399.58 per litre.
Petrol is primarily used in motorcycles, rickshaws and private vehicles, making it particularly significant for middle- and lower-income households. High-speed diesel, meanwhile, is widely used in heavy transport vehicles and large generators.
The latest increase comes amid ongoing volatility in global oil markets linked to the recently paused US-Israeli war on Iran and disruptions caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy shipping route through which around one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies traditionally pass.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in late February, the government has revised fuel prices on a weekly basis. On March 6, fuel prices were increased by Rs55 per litre, followed by austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on March 9.
Subsequently, the government alternated between price hikes and reductions. On April 2, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced major increases in fuel prices along with a targeted subsidy programme.
A day later, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reduced the petroleum levy by Rs80 per litre, lowering petrol prices to Rs378 per litre. Further reductions in diesel and petrol prices followed on April 10 and April 17. However, last week, both petrol and diesel prices were increased by Rs26.77 per litre.
Government rejects fuel shortage rumours
The price hike came amid widespread rumours regarding a possible closure of petrol stations due to fuel shortages.
In a statement posted on X, the Petroleum Division dismissed the reports as false and assured the public that petroleum supplies across the country remained uninterrupted.
The division urged citizens to avoid spreading panic through misinformation and said the government had ensured uninterrupted fuel supplies since the beginning of the Middle East conflict.
Separately, Irfan Nawaz Memon, deputy commissioner of Islamabad, also denied rumours of petrol station closures, stating that sufficient fuel stocks were available at all stations in the federal capital.
He advised citizens to report any complaints regarding fuel shortages or under-filling to the district administration’s control room and urged the public not to pay attention to rumours.
Petrol dealers also deny strike reports
The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) also rejected reports claiming petrol pumps would remain shut from May 1 to May 5.
In a statement, APPPOA Vice Chairperson Noman Ali Butt said petrol stations across the country would continue normal operations and that fuel supply to consumers remained uninterrupted.
He clarified that rumours regarding a strike had no connection with the association and reiterated that petrol pump owners were not planning any shutdown.
