What happened
The federal government raised petrol and high-speed diesel prices by Rs6.51 and Rs19.39 per litre respectively, moving a day ahead of the scheduled weekly review, according to a Petroleum Division press release reported on 1 May 2026.
Petrol rose from Rs393.35 to Rs399.86 per litre, while high-speed diesel climbed from Rs380.19 to Rs399.58 per litre. Kerosene was reduced by Rs4.45 per litre to Rs360.76 from Rs365.21.
Officials said the increase was intended to stop panic buying, after most petrol pumps across the country halted sales in anticipation of a sharp rise. Rumours had circulated that petrol would jump by Rs55 per litre, and petrol pumps had threatened a five-day strike.
The All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association refuted reports of a strike from 1 to 5 May as baseless. Its vice chairperson, Noman Ali Butt, said there was no truth to the rumours of station closures and that petrol stations would remain operational as usual.
Why it matters
The revision was the second increase in six days, following a Rs26.77 per litre rise in both products the previous week. It extends a volatile run in fuel prices that has fed directly into transport and household costs.
A source told The Nation that the government imposed a petroleum levy of Rs28.69 per litre on high-speed diesel, while the levy on petrol was cut by Rs3.88 per litre to Rs103.50 from Rs107.38. Petrol is used mainly by private cars, small vehicles, three-wheelers and motorcycles, while high-speed diesel powers heavy transport.
The new prices took effect on Friday and were to remain in force until the next revision.
What is still uncertain
The reported figures did not explain how long the government expects the higher prices to hold, or how the petroleum levy adjustment was intended to offset the increase in international costs. It was also not clear whether the government would hold the scheduled review the following week.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-05-01.
- Primary source — The Nation: “Petrol, diesel prices hit above Rs399 per litre”1 May 2026 · Reports the new petrol and diesel rates, the kerosene cut, the petroleum levy changes and the pump owners' denial of a strike.
Related KhabarWire coverage: Pakistan raises petrol and diesel prices.
