Govt increases petrol price by Rs17.50 per litre

ISLAMABAD: In a late-night development, the interim government approved an exorbitant increase in the price of petroleum products.

The price of petrol has been increased by Rs17.50 per litre, while the price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) has been hiked by Rs20 per lire.

After the latest increase, the price of petrol has reached Rs290.45 per litre, while the price of diesel has reached Rs293.40 per litre.

The price of other petroleum products has not been announced. The prices will stay in effect till at least September 1.

On August 1, the previous government also increased the price of petrol by Rs19.50 per litre and the price of diesel by Rs19.90 per litre.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) sent a summary to the Ministry of Petroleum recommending an increase of Rs12 in the prices of petrol for the next fortnight.

With no caretaker cabinet in place, the prices were reportedly discussed between finance ministry officials and the newly sworn-in caretaker prime minister.

LPG prices increased

Meanwhile, the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been increased by Rs10 per kilogram, announced the LPG Association Chairman Irfan Khokar.

After the latest hike, the per kg price of LPG has surged by Rs 220. The price of domestic cylinders and commercial cylinders increased by Rs 120 and Rs 450, with new prices standing at Rs2,615 and Rs10,030, respectively. However, the LPG is being sold at Rs 255 per kg in northern areas.

Khokhar explained that the increase was made in line with the upward trend in the international market where LPG prices went up by $92 to $556 per metric ton.