Petrol, Diesel Prices to Rise from July 16, 2025

Islamabad, July 14, 2025, 06:45 PM PKT — Consumers across Pakistan, already reeling from skyrocketing fuel costs, face a looming blow as petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) prices are set to rise again from July 16, 2025, per industry estimates. Petrol may surge by Rs6.60 per litre, from Rs266.79 to Rs273.39 (a 2.5% hike), while HSD, vital for transport and agriculture, could climb by Rs5.27 per litre, from Rs272.98 to Rs278.25 (a 1.9% increase). This price shock threatens a cascade of economic strain, with transport costs driving up essential commodity prices and petrol users—relying on motorcycles and small vehicles—bearing direct financial pressure.

Rural relief offers a sliver of hope: kerosene may drop Rs3.74 to Rs180.69 per litre, and light diesel oil (LDO) by Rs2.23 to Rs167.38 per litre, aiding lower-income households for cooking and off-grid use, though unlikely to offset inflation. At the ex-refinery level, petrol may rise Rs4.67 per litre and diesel Rs1.32, fueled by rupee depreciation adding Rs3 per litre to petrol and Rs2 to diesel, plus import premiums and Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM). If global oil prices and exchange rates hold steady, the Finance Division may notify revised prices by July 16, though public backlash might prompt the government to absorb part of the hike—potentially limiting petrol to Rs2 per litre and easing HSD for political optics.

This follows a major hike on July 1, 2025, where petrol rose Rs8.36 and diesel Rs10.39 per litre, citing global crude spikes and Middle East tensions, pushing petrol to Rs266.79 and diesel to Rs272.98, amplifying inflation fears. A cumulative Rs15 per litre petrol increase looms if July 16 adjustments proceed. The final call lies with the Finance Division and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, balancing fiscal needs and public sentiment. Web context shows frequent price adjustments, while posts found on X reflect anger—some blame policy failures, others demand relief. Critically, the narrative of “market-driven hikes” may mask government indecision—web data hints at absorptive capacity limits, and X sentiment suggests distrust in timely action, pointing to escalating discontent.