ISLAMABAD:
The government on Tuesday increased prices of petroleum products by up to Rs 7.15 per liter by Wednesday (today), while the 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 petrol (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 took effect on July 22, 2026, according to the statement.
Until recently, oil prices were reviewed every fortnight. However, last week the government switched to a daily pricing mechanism. On Monday, it increased the price of HSD by Rs 5.17 per liter for Tuesday, while it reduced the price of petrol by Rs 0.35 per liter.
The APPPOA and the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) have opposed the introduction of daily fuel price reviews. Following the breakdown of talks with the government, the APPPOA announced an indefinite national strike starting at midnight on Wednesday.
In a video message, APPPOA leader Nauman Butt said negotiations with the federal petroleum minister had failed to produce a positive outcome. He said the talks failed over dealer margins and the implementation of the daily fuel pricing mechanism.
The association said petrol pumps across the country would remain closed from midnight on July 22 and the strike would continue until the government accepted their demands. The Petroleum Retailers Association also announced its support for the strike.
On the other hand, the PPDA called a meeting of its executive committee to decide whether to join the strike. PPDA senior advisor Malik Khuda Bukhsh said the daily fuel price was neither practical nor acceptable to dealers.
He said the association had conveyed its concerns to OGRA, which was given seven days to present the issues to the government and respond to the traders. According to Malik, the PPDA informed the regulator that its executive committee would meet on Wednesday to decide its future course of action, including a strike.
