ISLAMABAD:
The government on Tuesday increased prices of petroleum products up to Rs 7.15 per liter for Wednesday (today), while the All Pakistan Petrol Pump Owners Association (APPPOA) announced a nationwide strike after negotiations with the government over a proposed daily fuel pricing mechanism failed.
Under a revised pricing mechanism notified by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the price of high speed diesel (HSD) has been increased by Rs 7.15 per liter from Rs 360.06 to Rs 367.21, according to a press release issued by the Petroleum Division of the Ministry of Power.
The price of motor spirit (MS), commonly known as petrol, has also been increased by Rs 4.93 per liter from Rs 315.80 to Rs 320.73. The revised prices came into effect from July 22, 2026, the release said.
Until recently, oil prices were revised every fortnight. However, the government opted for a daily pricing mechanism last week. On Monday, it increased the price of HSD by Rs 5.17 per liter for Tuesday, while reducing the price of petrol by Rs 0.35 per litre.
APPPOA and All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) have opposed the introduction of daily revisions in fuel prices. Following the failure of negotiations with the government, the APPPOA announced an indefinite national strike starting Wednesday midnight.
In a video message, APPPOA leader Nauman Butt said negotiations with the Federal Oil Minister had not yielded a positive outcome. He said negotiations had failed on dealer margins and the implementation of a daily fuel pricing mechanism.
The association said petrol pumps across the country would remain closed from July 22 midnight and the strike would continue until the government accepts its demands. The Petroleum Retailers Association also announced its support for the strike.
Furthermore, the PPDA called a meeting of its executive committee to decide whether or not to join the strike. Malik Khuda Bukhsh, senior advisor to PPDA, said daily fuel pricing was neither practical nor acceptable for dealers.
He said the association had raised its concerns with OGRA, which requested seven days to present the issues to government and respond to dealers. According to Malik, the PPDA informed the regulator that its executive committee would meet on Wednesday to decide on its future course of action, including strike action.
