ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has notified new prices for petroleum products, with petrol becoming more expensive while the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has been reduced.
According to the notification, the petrol price has been increased by Rs4.61 per litre, taking the new rate to Rs393.75 per litre.
Meanwhile, the price of High-Speed Diesel has been reduced by Rs1.96 per litre. Following the adjustment, the new HSD price has been fixed at Rs422.08 per litre.
The latest petroleum price revision comes amid political and public pressure over the rising cost of fuel and the petroleum levy. The government has been holding discussions with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), which has been protesting against the levy as part of its ongoing super long march.
According to sources, the JI march is moving from Rohri towards Multan, while the government has again contacted the party leadership and urged it to call off or halt the protest.
JI has maintained that its super long march will continue until the petroleum levy is abolished. The party has been demanding relief for consumers, particularly amid rising fuel and living costs.
Sources said the government has proposed abolishing the petroleum levy for one year as part of efforts to resolve the dispute. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also expected to contact the JI leadership as negotiations continue.
Government seeks breakthrough
Sources said a breakthrough in talks could emerge before the JI march reaches Islamabad. A government delegation has reportedly offered a broader public relief package, subject to approval by the party’s technical committee.
The government delegation has also assured JI leaders that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supports the proposed relief measures.
A meeting between the prime minister and JI leadership is expected after Shehbaz Sharif returns to the country.
JI has indicated that it could consider pausing the long march if the government demonstrates seriousness about providing relief. However, the party has reiterated that the protest will not be called off permanently unless the petroleum levy is completely abolished.
The latest petrol price increase is therefore likely to remain a key issue in ongoing government-JI negotiations over fuel prices and public relief.
