Govt raises fuel prices as petrol pump strike threat grows

The federal government has increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel, while petrol pump owners have

The federal government has increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel, while petrol pump owners have announced a nationwide strike after failing to reach an agreement with the government over the newly introduced daily fuel pricing system.

Under the latest notification, the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) has increased by Rs7.15 per litre, rising from Rs360.06 to Rs367.21. The price of petrol has also been increased by Rs4.93 per litre, taking it from Rs315.80 to Rs320.73. The revised prices came into effect on July 22.

The increase follows the government’s decision to replace the previous fortnightly fuel price adjustment system with a daily pricing mechanism. Under the new policy, petroleum prices can now change every day depending on international oil prices and fluctuations in the exchange rate.

The new pricing mechanism has been strongly opposed by petrol pump owners and fuel dealers. They argue that daily price revisions are difficult to implement and create financial uncertainty for retailers across the country.

After negotiations with government officials failed, the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association (APPPOA) announced an indefinite nationwide strike beginning at midnight on Wednesday. The association said petrol pumps across Pakistan would remain closed until the government accepts its demands.

Association leaders said discussions with the Petroleum Ministry failed to resolve major issues, including dealer profit margins and the implementation of daily fuel pricing. They insisted that the current system is not practical for petrol station operators and would create serious operational challenges.

The Petroleum Retailers Association has also expressed support for the strike, raising concerns about possible disruptions in fuel supplies if the dispute continues.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) is expected to decide whether it will formally join the protest. The association has called a meeting of its executive committee to discuss the situation and determine its future course of action.

PPDA officials said they had already shared their concerns with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). According to the association, the regulator requested additional time to present the dealers’ concerns to the government before any final decision is made.

Fuel dealers believe daily price changes make it difficult to manage inventories, update fuel prices, and maintain smooth business operations. They argue that the previous fortnightly pricing system provided greater stability and reduced uncertainty for both retailers and consumers.

The government, however, maintains that the daily pricing mechanism will ensure that domestic fuel prices more closely reflect changes in global oil markets. Officials believe the new system will improve transparency and allow quicker adjustments to international price movements.