ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at providing short-term relief to consumers, the federal government on Saturday decided to maintain the existing prices of petroleum products for the upcoming fortnight.
According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the price of petrol will remain unchanged at Rs 299.50 per liter, while high-speed diesel (HSD) will continue to be sold at Rs 311.47 per liter. The decision comes after a routine price review, with officials citing stable global crude oil rates and exchange rate parity as key factors in keeping the consumer prices steady.
This price freeze follows a historic reduction just two weeks ago. On June 19, the government slashed petrol prices by a massive Rs 74 per liter and diesel by Rs 67 per liter—a move that was widely hailed as a major relief for inflation-weary citizens and the transport sector.
However, despite the previous cut, current rates remain elevated compared to historical averages, keeping pressure on household budgets and freight costs. The Ministry clarified that while international markets showed mixed signals, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) recommended no change to avoid weekly volatility.
Consumers and business groups have welcomed the stability but urged the government to further pass on global price drops if they occur in the coming weeks. The next price review is scheduled for July 15.
