Petrol price in Pakistan today (20 March 2026) stands at Rs. 321.17 per litre , unchanged since the government’s historic Rs. 55 per litre increase on 7 March 2026, one of the largest single-day fuel hikes in Pakistan’s history. High-Speed Diesel (HSD) remains at Rs. 335.86 per litre, while Kerosene Oil has since been revised upward to Rs. 358.01 per litre on 16 March.
The government is currently absorbing Rs. 23 billion through the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund to prevent another petrol price increase this week amid continued global oil market volatility. Here are all current fuel rates, a full price history, city-wise rates, and what to expect at the next weekly review.
All Fuel Prices in Pakistan Today – 20 March 2026
These are the official petroleum prices currently in effect across Pakistan:
| Fuel Type | Old Price (PKR/Litre) | Current Price (PKR/Litre) | Change |
| Petrol (Motor Spirit) | Rs. 266.17 | Rs. 321.17 | ▲ +Rs. 55.00 |
| High-Speed Diesel (HSD) | Rs. 280.86 | Rs. 335.86 | ▲ +Rs. 55.00 |
| Kerosene Oil (SKO) | Rs. 318.81 | Rs. 358.01 | ▲ +Rs. 39.20 |
| Light Diesel Oil (LDO) | Rs. 235.01 | Rs. 302.52 | ▲ +Rs. 67.51 |
| LPG (per kg) | , | Rs. 225.84 | , |
Source: Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), OGRA, PSO , effective 7 March 2026 (Petrol & HSD) and 16 March 2026 (SKO & LDO).
Hi-Octane (Euro 5) Prices by City – March 2026
Unlike petrol and diesel, Hi-Octane (97 RON) prices are not fully regulated and may vary by company and location. According to Pakistan State Oil (PSO), city-wise Hi-Octane rates recorded in early March 2026 were as follows:
| City | Hi-Octane Price (PKR/Litre) |
| Karachi | Rs. 328.88 |
| Lahore / Rawalpindi / Islamabad | Rs. 329.88 |
| Quetta | Rs. 336.88 |
| Gilgit | Rs. 345.88 |
Regular petrol (Motor Spirit) at Rs. 321.17 remains uniform across all cities in Pakistan.
Why Did Petrol Price Increase by Rs. 55 in Pakistan?
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik announced the decision at a press conference, stating the government had been reviewing the situation through a committee constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The three main causes behind the historic hike:
- 🔴 Strait of Hormuz closure , the ongoing conflict between Iran and the USA led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil shipping route, causing severe disruption to petroleum supply chains worldwide
- 🔴 Global crude oil surge , international crude oil prices reportedly jumped between 50% and 70% in early March 2026, forcing Pakistan to adjust domestic fuel prices to match global market trends
- 🔴 IMF demand , the International Monetary Fund urged Pakistan to immediately pass on rising petroleum costs to consumers and avoid subsidies on petrol and diesel
Due to extreme volatility in global energy markets, the government shifted from the traditional fortnightly price adjustment to weekly reviews, allowing authorities to respond faster to changes in international oil prices.
Government Absorbs Rs. 23 Billion to Protect Consumers This Week
This is the most important petrol price update of the week , and most competitors have missed it.
The Government of Pakistan has decided to absorb a financial impact of Rs. 23 billion to keep petrol and high-speed diesel prices unchanged for the week starting 14 March 2026, amid rising global oil prices and regional supply disruptions.
According to official documents, the subsidy will be provided as a price differential to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and financed through the newly created Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund.
The payment will compensate OMCs at a rate of Rs. 75.05 per litre for HSD and Rs. 49.63 per litre for petrol. The estimated price differential claims for the period 14–20 March amount to Rs. 23 billion, which will be disbursed by OGRA after verification and audit of invoices submitted by OMCs.
What this means for you: Without this government intervention, petrol could have jumped to over Rs. 370–380 per litre this week based on global crude prices. The current rate of Rs. 321.17 is being maintained at direct cost to the national treasury.
Petrol Price History in Pakistan – March 2026
| Effective Date | Petrol (PKR/Litre) | HSD (PKR/Litre) | Change |
| 20 March 2026 | Rs. 321.17 | Rs. 335.86 | Unchanged (subsidy) |
| 16 March 2026 | Rs. 321.17 | Rs. 335.86 | Unchanged |
| 7 March 2026 | Rs. 321.17 | Rs. 335.86 | ▲ +Rs. 55 |
| 1 March 2026 | Rs. 266.17 | Rs. 280.86 | ▲ +Rs. 8 / +Rs. 5.16 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | Rs. 258.17 | Rs. 275.70 | , |
| All-Time Record High | Rs. 331.38 | , | Sep 2023 |
Year-on-year comparison: Petrol has risen from around Rs. 258 per litre in mid-February 2026 to Rs. 321.17 , an increase of over Rs. 63 per litre (+24.4%) in just one month.
How Is Petrol Price Calculated in Pakistan?
Every rupee you pay at the pump has multiple components. Here is the official OGRA breakdown:
| Component | Details |
| Ex-Refinery Price | Base price paid to local refineries or import cost |
| OGRA Inland Freight | Margin for transporting fuel from refineries to cities |
| Petroleum Levy | Rs. 105.37/litre on petrol | Rs. 55.24/litre on HSD (unchanged) |
| General Sales Tax (GST) | Applied as per federal budget notification |
| Dealer Commission | Rs. 7.98/litre for petrol pump owners |
| Oil Marketing Company (OMC) Margin | For companies like PSO, Shell, Total, Hascol |
Impact of Petrol Price Hike on Daily Life in Pakistan
The Rs. 55 per litre increase has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s economy. Here’s how it affects you:
| Sector | Impact |
| Daily Commuters | Motorcycle and rickshaw fuel costs up 20%+ overnight |
| Public Transport Fares | Bus, wagon, and rickshaw fares increased across all major cities |
| Food Prices | Transportation cost added to price of vegetables, flour, and milk |
| Farmers & Agriculture | Diesel for tractors and tube-wells now significantly more expensive |
| Freight & Logistics | Truck operators passing on higher costs to businesses and consumers |
| Electricity Bills | Diesel-based generators and power plants face higher operating costs |
| Small Businesses | Running backup generators in load-shedding hours is now more costly |
Petrol Price Comparison – Pakistan vs Regional Countries
| Country | Petrol Price (PKR Equivalent/Litre) |
| Pakistan | Rs. 321.17 |
| India | ~Rs. 200–230 |
| Bangladesh | ~Rs. 270 |
| Iran | ~Rs. 30–50 (heavily subsidised) |
| Saudi Arabia | ~Rs. 110–130 |
| UAE | ~Rs. 190–220 |
Pakistan currently has one of the highest petrol prices in South Asia , driven by its heavy reliance on imported crude, weak rupee, and high petroleum levy compared to regional neighbours.
Fuel Saving Tips for Pakistani Drivers in 2026
With petrol at Rs. 321.17, every drop counts. Here are practical ways to stretch your fuel:
- ✅ Maintain correct tyre pressure , under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption by 3–5%
- ✅ Turn off the engine at signals longer than 30 seconds , idle engines waste fuel
- ✅ Avoid aggressive acceleration , smooth driving improves mileage by up to 15%
- ✅ Carpool where possible , split fuel costs with coworkers or neighbours
- ✅ Service your engine regularly , a clean air filter and fresh oil improve efficiency by 10%+
- ✅ Use CNG where available , significantly cheaper than petrol for high-mileage vehicles
- ✅ Plan your routes , combine errands in one trip to reduce total kilometres driven
Next Petrol Price Review – When Is It?
The Government of Pakistan has decided to keep petrol prices unchanged effective from 16 March 2026 despite rising global oil prices. Petrol and diesel prices will remain unchanged until the next scheduled review, while consumers and businesses alike will be closely watching the next fuel price announcement.
Next expected review date: Around 21–23 March 2026 (weekly review cycle now in effect).
Whether prices rise or fall depends on:
- International crude oil prices (Brent Crude, WTI)
- USD to PKR exchange rate movement
- Strait of Hormuz shipping situation
- IMF programme conditions and government fiscal space
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the petrol price in Pakistan today on 20 March 2026? The current petrol (Motor Spirit) price in Pakistan is Rs. 321.17 per litre, effective from 7 March 2026. The government kept this rate unchanged on 16 March despite global price pressures.
Q: What is the diesel price in Pakistan today? High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is priced at Rs. 335.86 per litre , unchanged since the 7 March 2026 revision.
Q: What is the kerosene oil price in Pakistan today? Kerosene Oil (SKO) is currently Rs. 358.01 per litre after a Rs. 39.20 per litre increase announced on 16 March 2026.
Q: Why did petrol increase by Rs. 55 per litre in March 2026? The hike was driven by closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran-USA conflict, a 50–70% surge in global crude oil prices, and IMF pressure on Pakistan to pass on petroleum costs to consumers without subsidies.
Q: Is the government subsidising petrol in Pakistan right now? Yes. The government is absorbing Rs. 23 billion through the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund this week (14–20 March) to keep petrol at Rs. 321.17 instead of allowing a market-rate increase.
Q: What is the highest petrol price ever recorded in Pakistan? The highest petrol price in Pakistan’s history was Rs. 331.38 per litre, recorded on 16 September 2023. The current rate of Rs. 321.17 is approaching that all-time record.
Q: How often does Pakistan review petrol prices now? Pakistan has shifted from fortnightly to weekly price reviews due to extreme global oil market volatility in March 2026.
Q: Where can I check the official petrol price in Pakistan? Check ogra.org.pk (official OGRA notifications), psopk.com (PSO fuel prices), or pakwheels.com/petroleum-prices-in-pakistan for daily updated official rates.
Final Thoughts
The petrol price in Pakistan today , Rs. 321.17 per litre , is a direct result of global geopolitical turmoil, Strait of Hormuz disruption, and Pakistan’s dependence on imported crude oil. While the government is currently shielding consumers through the Prime Minister’s Austerity Fund, the next weekly review around 21–23 March 2026 will determine whether this stability holds. Bookmark this page for real-time updates after every government notification. In the meantime, adopt fuel-saving habits, monitor OGRA announcements, and plan your transport budget wisely.
Official Sources:
- OGRA: ogra.org.pk/notified-petroleum-prices
- PSO Fuel Prices: psopk.com/en/fuels/fuel-prices
- Petroleum Division Helpline: +92-51-9207114
Read More: US Dollar to PKR – Open Market Rate Today 20 March 2026 (Live USD to PKR Update)
