pakistan cuts petrol
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Pakistan cuts petrol price by Rs. 4.08 per litre, …

ByJustpaste.in

The federal government has announced a reduction in petroleum prices, lowering the cost of petrol by Rs. 4.08 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs. 2.45 per litre. The revised prices will come into effect from August 4, providing some relief to consumers amid easing international oil prices.

According to a notification issued by the Petroleum Division, the new price of petrol has been fixed at Rs. 331.95 per litre, while high-speed diesel will now be available at Rs. 389.93 per litre. The latest revision follows a decline in global crude oil prices after geopolitical tensions in the Middle East showed signs of easing.

Despite the reduction, the government continues to impose substantial taxes and duties on petroleum products. Petrol carries approximately Rs. 110 per litre in taxes and levies, while diesel is subject to Rs. 96 per litre in government charges.

Fuel prices had surged sharply earlier this year following heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, which raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. High-speed diesel reached a record Rs. 520.35 per litre on April 3 after climbing from Rs. 281 per litre in late February. During the same period, petrol rose from Rs. 266 per litre to a peak of Rs. 458.41 per litre.

Earlier, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that fuel prices would now be reviewed daily instead of weekly in response to increased volatility in international energy markets. Under the new mechanism, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has been tasked with determining petroleum prices based on prevailing global market trends.

The decision to introduce daily pricing has, however, faced criticism from the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, which has opposed the move and indicated that it may consider launching protests against the policy.

Petrol remains the primary fuel used by private vehicles, motorcycles, rickshaws, and small transport, making its price particularly important for middle- and lower-income households. Meanwhile, high-speed diesel is widely consumed by the heavy transport sector, agriculture, industries, power plants, and commercial generators, meaning changes in diesel prices have a broader impact on transportation costs, supply chains, and inflation.

The latest reduction is expected to provide modest financial relief to consumers and businesses. However, future fuel prices will largely depend on international crude oil trends, exchange rate movements, and developments in the Middle East, all of which continue to influence Pakistan’s petroleum pricing policy.

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