The federal government has announced a welcome cut in fuel prices for the second fortnight of October. Under the latest OGRA review, petrol drops by Rs 5.16 per litre to Rs 381.14, while high-speed diesel (HSD) falls by Rs 7.69 per litre to Rs 389.27. The revised rates took effect from 20 October 2026 and apply uniformly across Pakistan.
This is the first fortnightly revision of the second half of October, replacing the interim rates of Rs 386.30 (petrol) and Rs 396.96 (diesel) that were valid from 17 to 19 October. Notably, diesel has seen the bigger cut this time — a relief for transporters, farmers and anyone running a diesel generator.
New Petrol and Diesel Prices from 20 October 2026
| Fuel | Previous price | Change | New price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (Super) | Rs 386.30 | −Rs 5.16 | Rs 381.14 |
| High-Speed Diesel | Rs 396.96 | −Rs 7.69 | Rs 389.27 |
How Much Have Prices Changed Over the Last Two Weeks?
October has been a month of frequent adjustments, with rates moving several times under the government’s faster price-pass-through mechanism. Here is how the fortnightly trend has looked:
| Revision date | Petrol (Rs/L) | Diesel (Rs/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 October 2026 | 393.64 | 397.76 |
| 14 October 2026 | 392.66 | 396.82 |
| 17 October 2026 | 386.30 | 396.96 |
| 20 October 2026 | 381.14 | 389.27 |
The direction over the fortnight is clearly downward: petrol has shed more than Rs 12 a litre since the start of October, and diesel has dropped by over Rs 8 a litre in the same period.
Why Did OGRA Cut Fuel Prices?
Pakistan’s retail fuel prices are set on the basis of OGRA’s recommendations to the Petroleum Division, which track international reference prices for refined products, import parity costs, and the rupee’s movement against the dollar. This latest cut reflects a softer international market over the review period combined with a relatively steady exchange rate, allowing the benefit to be passed on to consumers.
Worth knowing: the pricing mechanism has changed this year. OGRA now publishes daily petroleum prices on its website for transparency, and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said the rates are worked out on a seven-day rolling average of international market prices, in line with international practice. That means pump prices now respond to global movements much faster than under the old fortnightly-only system.
Where Your Litre’s Money Goes: Taxes and Levies
The pump price is not just the cost of the fuel itself. A large share of what you pay is government taxes and levies. Recent reporting puts the tax-and-duty load at roughly Rs 114 per litre on petrol and about Rs 100 per litre on diesel, including the petroleum levy and dealer/OMC margins. In other words, nearly a third of the petrol price is taxes rather than the product itself — which is also why pump prices rarely fall as fast as crude prices do.
What This Means for Your Wallet
A cut of Rs 5.16 a litre adds up quickly:
- Car with a 40-litre tank: a full fill now costs about Rs 206 less (Rs 15,246 vs Rs 15,452).
- Motorbike with a 10-litre tank: each fill saves roughly Rs 52.
- Monthly commuter (about 150 litres a month): savings of roughly Rs 774 a month.
- Diesel generator (20-litre can): a fill now costs about Rs 154 less, useful during loadshedding hours.
- Goods transport (200-litre truck tank): each fill saves roughly Rs 1,538 — a cost that can feed through to freight rates and, eventually, shop prices.
Tips to Make the Cut Count
- Fill up early in the cycle. Prices are being revised frequently this month; the 20 October rates are the cheapest of the month so far.
- Keep tyres at the recommended pressure. Under-inflated tyres can raise fuel consumption by several percent.
- Plan refuelling around commutes. A topped-up tank at the start of a lower-price cycle beats small top-ups later.
- Track your mileage. A sudden drop in km-per-litre usually means maintenance is due — air filter, spark plugs or wheel alignment.
- For backup power, compare genset running costs with solar. Even at lower fuel prices, a diesel generator costs far more per unit of electricity than a hybrid solar system once installed — see our solar panel price guide for current rates.
The next daily revision brought another cut, as the price fell further to Rs 379.31 in the 22 October update.
FAQs
Q: What is the petrol price in Pakistan today?
A: Rs 381.14 per litre, effective from 20 October 2026 under the latest OGRA review.
Q: What is the diesel price today?
A: High-speed diesel is Rs 389.27 per litre from 20 October 2026.
Q: How often does the government revise fuel prices?
A: OGRA reviews prices fortnightly, but with the new daily price-pass-through mechanism, adjustments can also come between reviews based on a seven-day average of international rates.
Q: Why do petrol prices stay the same in every city?
A: Under the Inland Freight Equalisation Margin mechanism, transport costs from ports and refineries are equalised, so regulated petrol and diesel sell at the same baseline price nationwide.
Q: Will prices fall further next month?
A: That depends on international oil markets and the rupee. The next fortnightly review will be announced around the start of November — we will cover it here as always. Read our previous update: petrol price on 17 October 2026.
Thinking long-term about energy costs? See our net metering and net billing guide and the best solar panels of 2026 to compare solar against rising fuel and grid costs.
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