Last Updated on October 20, 2026 by YeJahan
YEJAHAN REPORT
ISLAMABAD (Oct 20): The Pakistani government cut petrol prices by Rs5.16 per litre and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs7.69, effective Tuesday, Oct. 20, according to a Petroleum Division notification.
Following the reduction, petrol will retail at Rs381.14 per litre, while HSD will cost Rs389.27 per litre.
Despite the price cuts, the government maintained a Rs114 per litre tax on petrol and a Rs100 per litre levy on diesel. The sustained tax rates triggered widespread protests led by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) political party.
Fuel price trends
The price adjustments follow months of volatility driven by regional conflicts. HSD prices fell from a peak of Rs520.35 on April 3. Fuel costs began climbing from Rs281 per litre after the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict on Feb. 28. Petrol prices dropped from an April 3 record high of Rs458.41. Prices initially spiked from Rs266 during the first week of March.
Austerity measures and relief schemes
The government reinstated several austerity measures to manage fuel costs amid ongoing Middle East tensions, requiring markets to close by 9 p.m. Additionally, fuel allocations for official government vehicles were cut by 50% for three months. The measures follow a Sept. 13 announcement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introducing a “fuel-relief scheme” for motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and vehicles under 800cc to offset global oil price shocks.
Copyright YeJahan News Network, 2026.
