Petrol prices declined 0.48 per cent during the first 19 days of August, while HSD prices rose 0.67 per cent amid a sharp increase in the petroleum levy.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s petroleum consumers witnessed contrasting movements in fuel prices during the first 19 days of August 2026, with petrol becoming Rs1.61 per litre cheaper, while high-speed diesel (HSD) became Rs2.65 per litre more expensive.
According to official petroleum price calculations, petrol stood at Rs336.15 per litre at the start of August, based on the price effective from July 31, 2026. By August 19, the petrol price had fallen to Rs334.54 per litre.
This represents a decline of Rs1.61 per litre, or around 0.48 per cent, over the 19-day period.
In contrast, the price of HSD increased from Rs393.04 per litre on July 31 to Rs395.69 per litre on August 19.
The HSD price therefore increased by Rs2.65 per litre, or around 0.67 per cent, during the same period.
Petrol price declines
The official price calculation effective August 19 showed that petrol’s ex-refinery/import price stood at Rs225.68 per litre, compared with Rs229.17 per litre under the July 31 calculation.
The petrol price before the petroleum levy, Climate Support Levy and sales tax was Rs249.54 per litre on August 19, compared with Rs251.15 per litre on July 31.
The petroleum levy on petrol remained at Rs80 per litre, while the Climate Support Levy stood at Rs5 per litre. Sales tax remained zero in both calculations.
The reduction in the underlying ex-refinery/import price therefore contributed to the decline in the final petrol price during the period.
HSD becomes more expensive
The increase in HSD prices occurred despite a decline in its ex-refinery/import price.
The ex-refinery/import price of HSD fell from Rs296.18 per litre on July 31 to Rs291.96 per litre on August 19, a reduction of Rs4.22 per litre.
However, the petroleum levy increased substantially from Rs70.82 to Rs78.28 per litre, more than offsetting the reduction in the ex-refinery/import component.
The HSD price before the petroleum levy, Climate Support Levy and sales tax fell from Rs317.22 to Rs312.41 per litre during the period.
The higher petroleum levy nevertheless pushed the final consumer price to Rs395.69 per litre on August 19.
Fuel price comparison
| Fuel | July 31 price | August 19 price | Change | Percentage change |
| Petrol | Rs336.15/litre | Rs334.54/litre | -Rs1.61 | -0.48% |
| HSD | Rs393.04/litre | Rs395.69/litre | +Rs2.65 | +0.67% |
The figures show that petrol became slightly cheaper while HSD became more expensive during the first 19 days of August 2026.
The latest official calculation also shows that international prices and other cost components continued to influence petroleum prices, while changes in the petroleum levy had a significant impact on the final consumer price of HSD.