Petrol rises to Rs380.24 and HSD to Rs409.42 per litre as international oil prices push Pakistan’s fuel costs sharply higher.
KARACHI: Pakistan has increased the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by more than Rs37 per litre during the first fortnight of September 2026, following a significant rise in international petroleum prices.
According to a comparison of the official fuel price notifications effective August 29 and September 15, 2026, the petrol price increased by Rs38.22 per litre, rising from Rs342.02 to Rs380.24 per litre.
Meanwhile, the price of HSD rose by Rs37.98 per litre, from Rs371.44 to Rs409.42 per litre.
The latest prices became effective from September 15, 2026, compared with the previous rates applicable from August 29, 2026. The official pricing documents show that the major driver of the increase was the sharp rise in international petroleum benchmarks used in Pakistan’s pricing formula.
Petrol price rises by Rs38.22
The international price component for petrol increased substantially during the period.
The seven-working-day rolling average of the Platts Arab Gulf Mean price for petrol increased from $105.44 per barrel on August 29 to $125.35 per barrel on September 15.
The premium, including freight, also increased from $14.97 to $16.28 per barrel.
As a result, the petrol cost and freight component in Pakistani rupees increased from Rs210.31 to Rs247.21 per litre.
The ex-refinery/import price also climbed from Rs231.72 to Rs269.78 per litre.
The price before petroleum levy, Climate Support Levy and sales tax rose from Rs257.02 to Rs295.24 per litre.
The government retained the petroleum levy at Rs80 per litre and the Climate Support Levy at Rs5 per litre, while petrol remained exempt from sales tax.
HSD price increases by Rs37.98
The HSD pricing formula also recorded a sharp increase in international costs.
The Dubai Crude Oil Platts Arab Gulf Mean average rose from $93.57 per barrel on August 29 to $115.84 per barrel on September 15.
The HSD cost and freight component increased from $142.46 to $164.23 per barrel, while its corresponding cost in Pakistani rupees rose from Rs248.82 to Rs286.66 per litre.
The ex-refinery/import price of HSD increased from Rs264.63 to Rs302.55 per litre.
Meanwhile, the price before petroleum levy, Climate Support Levy and sales tax rose from Rs286.44 to Rs324.42 per litre.
The petroleum levy remained unchanged at Rs80 per litre, while the Climate Support Levy stayed at Rs5 per litre. HSD also remained exempt from sales tax, according to the September 15 pricing notification.
Pakistan fuel prices in September 2026
| Fuel | August 29, 2026 | September 15, 2026 | Increase |
| Petrol | Rs342.02/litre | Rs380.24/litre | Rs38.22/litre |
| HSD | Rs371.44/litre | Rs409.42/litre | Rs37.98/litre |
The official pricing documents state that the full impact of revisions in daily international prices is passed on over seven working days.
The latest increase means petrol has crossed Rs380 per litre, while HSD has exceeded Rs409 per litre, putting further pressure on transport costs and other fuel-dependent expenses across the economy.
Higher fuel prices are also likely to increase operating costs for businesses and transporters, with potential knock-on effects on the prices of goods and services.