What happened
The federal government raised the ex-depot price of petrol by Rs5 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs7.32 per litre for the fortnight beginning 16 February 2026, according to a late-night notification issued by the Petroleum Division and reported by Dawn.
Petrol rose to Rs258.17 per litre from Rs253.17, an increase of about 2 per cent, while high-speed diesel climbed to Rs275.70 per litre from Rs268.38, a rise of about 2.7 per cent. The revised prices took effect immediately and were to remain in force until the next fortnightly review, the notification said. The government attributed the revision to movements in international market prices and the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Context
The increase partly reversed the previous review. On 1 February, the government had cut high-speed diesel by Rs14 per litre to Rs268.38 for the following fortnight while keeping petrol unchanged at Rs253.17. Ahead of the 16 February announcement, market forecasts had pointed to a smaller increase of about Rs4.39 per litre for petrol and Rs5.40 for diesel.
Why it matters
Petrol is used mainly by private cars, rickshaws and motorcycles, so the increase feeds directly into the budgets of middle- and lower-middle-income households. High-speed diesel is the bigger concern for the wider economy: it powers heavy transport, agricultural machinery and power generation, and Dawn reported that diesel price movements often pass through to freight, food and other essential goods, adding to inflation.
What remains uncertain
The notification did not indicate how long the higher prices were expected to last beyond the current fortnight, and fuel prices remain subject to the next review. How far the increase is passed on to fares and retail prices will depend on how transporters and traders respond in the coming weeks.
Sources & reporting notes
This report is based on the Petroleum Division's petroleum price notification as published on 16 February 2026. Sources were reviewed on 16 February 2026.
- Dawn — "Petrol price hiked by Rs5, diesel by Rs7.32"16 February 2026 · Primary for the new petrol and high-speed diesel prices, the effective date, the international-price rationale and the effect of diesel costs on transport and inflation.
- Geo News — "Govt hikes petrol, diesel prices for next fortnight"16 February 2026 · Confirms the revised rates, the 16 February effective date and the fortnightly Petroleum Division notification.
