WASIM IQBAL

ISLAMABAD: The Petroleum Division has announced nominal increase in prices of petrol and High-Speed Diesel (HSD) for August 21. The adjustment comes as the Petroleum Levy (PL) on both products reaches the maximum limit of Rs80 per litre.

With the latest revision, HSD price has been increased by Rs1.64 per litre, bringing the new rate up from Rs363.06 to Rs364.70 per litre. Petrol price also saw slight hike of 27 paise per litre, rising from Rs337.51 to Rs337.78 per litre.

Customs duty has maintained at Rs21 per litre for petrol and Rs15.68 per litre for HSD. Climate Support Levy (CSL) has been held steady at Rs5 per litre for both fuels. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and dealers margins remain unchanged at Rs7.87 and Rs8.64 per litre, respectively, across both products.

Following approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), dealer margins will increase by Rs1.34 per litre starting September 1, 2026. This will raise the fixed dealer margin from Rs8.64 to Rs9.98 per litre, effectively averting a nationwide strike threatened by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA).

Petroleum Minister Pervaiz Malik expressed gratitude to local refineries on Thursday for offering relief by reducing diesel prices by Rs32 per litre amidst volatile global market conditions, noting their positive response to the government’s appeal. Under the current daily pricing mechanism, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) adjusts retail fuel rates based on exchange rate fluctuations and a seven-day rolling average.