Petrol Now 64% More Expensive in Pakistan After 3 Months of US-Iran War

Pakistan has recorded the sharpest increase in fuel prices among major South Asian economies since 1st February, with official government notifications showing petrol prices have surged by 64 percent since then.

Official data from the Ministry of Energy show that petrol prices stood at Rs. 253.17 per liter from February 1, 2026. The latest notification effective May 9 raised petrol prices to Rs. 414.78 per liter, reflecting a cumulative increase of around 64 percent.

Diesel prices also climbed sharply by 61 percent from Rs. 257.08 per liter to Rs. 414.58 per liter during the 3-month period.

The biggest jump came in early April, when the government increased petrol prices from Rs. 321.17 per liter to Rs. 458.41 per liter following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

The increase in Pakistan’s fuel prices has significantly outpaced the rise in Brent crude oil prices during the same period.

International oil market data shows Brent crude prices rose sharply after the Iran war escalated in late February, climbing from around the low $70 per barrel range to above $90 and at times crossing $110 during peak volatility.

Regional comparisons also show that neighboring countries avoided increasing retail fuel prices more aggressively than Pakistan.

India largely kept petrol and diesel prices stable, where state owned oil companies absorbed losses to shield consumers. Reuters and Indian media reports said Indian authorities avoided major retail price increases despite big hikes in international rates.

Bangladesh also implemented more controlled fuel adjustments compared to Pakistan, raising prices only once in April by around 16 percent and have decided to keep them unchanged for May.