Islamabad: The Government of Pakistan has officially decided to maintain current fuel prices for the next two weeks, providing temporary relief to consumers amid fluctuating global oil markets. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, the price of petrol will remain unchanged at Rs. 254.63 per liter, and high-speed diesel (HSD) will continue to be sold at Rs. 258.64 per liter. This price freeze will be effective from April 16 to April 30, 2025.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a prior statement, confirmed that the prices of petroleum products would not be reduced during this period. However, he assured that any decline in global oil prices would eventually be passed on to the public through broader economic reforms and development-driven relief initiatives.
Despite the stability in consumer prices, the government has quietly increased the petroleum levy through a presidential ordinance. The levy on petrol has been raised by Rs. 8.72, increasing from Rs. 70 to Rs. 78.72 per liter, while the levy on diesel has also been hiked by Rs. 7.01, bringing it to Rs. 77.01 per liter. This move, while helping the government generate additional revenue, has raised concerns among economic observers about the long-term impact on inflation and public affordability, especially when global crude prices are easing.
This dual approach of maintaining end-user prices while increasing internal levies reflects the government’s strategy to manage fiscal pressures without causing immediate fuel price hikes at the consumer level. However, critics argue that the burden may ultimately shift to consumers if such trends persist in the coming months.