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History of Diesel Prices in Pakistan (2019–2026) — Complete HSD Price Record

June 20, 2026 · By Umme Muhammad · 43 min read
History of Diesel Prices in Pakistan (2019–2026) — Complete HSD Price Record
History of Diesel Prices in Pakistan (2019–2026) — Complete HSD Price Record | PakistanPetrolPrices.com

History of Diesel Prices in Pakistan (2019–2026): Complete HSD Price Record, Year-by-Year Analysis & Trend

Diesel (HSD) — 20 Jun 2026
Rs. 311.78/L
▼ −67.00 from Rs. 378.78
LDO — 20 Jun 2026
Rs. 259.76/L
— Unchanged
All-Time High (HSD)
Rs. 520.35/L
4 April 2026
COVID-Era Low (HSD)
Rs. 80.08/L
June 2020
✅ Major Relief — 20 June 2026
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif announced a massive fortnightly cut effective 20 June 2026: HSD diesel fell by Rs. 67.00 per litre — from Rs. 378.78 to Rs. 311.78/L. This is one of the largest single-notification relief cuts in Pakistan’s diesel history, driven by easing Strait of Hormuz tensions and a sharp fall in global crude prices. Petrol was simultaneously cut by Rs. 74.00 to Rs. 299.78/L.

The history of diesel prices in Pakistan over the last six years is a story of extraordinary volatility — from a multi-decade low of Rs. 80.08 per litre at the height of COVID-19 in June 2020, to an unprecedented emergency high of Rs. 520.35 per litre in April 2026, and back down to Rs. 311.78 per litre as of 20 June 2026. Every major political event, global energy shock, and currency crisis has left its mark on the pump price that powers Pakistan’s trucks, tractors, buses, and industrial generators.

High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is not just a fuel. It is the economic backbone of Pakistan. Every kilogram of wheat that reaches a flour mill, every container that leaves Karachi port, every generator that keeps a hospital running — all depend on HSD. That is why the history of diesel prices in Pakistan matters far beyond the fuel station: it is a direct indicator of inflation, agricultural costs, transport fares, and everyday household budgets.

This is the most complete guide available on PakistanPetrolPrices.com. Below you will find every major OGRA-notified diesel price from 2019 to 2026, year-by-year analysis, a comprehensive data table, a scaling table for consumers, and a full visual trend.

⚡ Key Facts at a Glance
  • All-time high: Rs. 520.35/L — 4 April 2026 (Strait of Hormuz crisis)
  • Six-year low: Rs. 80.08/L — June 2020 (COVID-19 demand collapse)
  • Previous record high: Rs. 323.38/L — September 2023
  • 2019 starting price: ~Rs. 111–117/L
  • Current price (20 June 2026): Rs. 311.78/L
  • Jun 20 cut: ▼ Rs. 67.00 — one of the largest single relief cuts ever
  • Total increase 2019–Jun 2026: ~Rs. 200/L (approx. +180%) despite large swings
  • Regulating authority: OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority)
  • Review frequency: Fortnightly — 1st and 16th of every month

Six-Year Overview: How Diesel Prices Have Changed

Pakistan’s diesel price history from 2019 to 2026 can be divided into six clear phases. Understanding these phases — and the forces driving each — is essential for anyone tracking fuel costs, planning logistics budgets, or studying Pakistan’s macroeconomic trajectory.

ℹ How to Read This History
All prices refer to High-Speed Diesel (HSD) — the official OGRA-regulated fuel for vehicles, tractors, and machinery. Light Diesel Oil (LDO) prices are mentioned separately where relevant. All prices are per litre in Pakistani Rupees (PKR).

Phase 1 (2019–early 2020): Relative stability. Diesel prices held in the Rs. 100–125 range as global crude was moderate and the government maintained managed prices. Phase 2 (mid-2020): COVID-era collapse. The pandemic crushed global oil demand and diesel briefly hit Rs. 80.08 — the lowest in over a decade. Phase 3 (2021–2022): Subsidy-shock surge. Prices more than tripled as the government removed a massive fuel subsidy in May 2022 amid a political crisis. Phase 4 (2023): Record-breaking peak. Diesel crossed Rs. 300 for the first time, reaching Rs. 323.38 in September 2023, driven by a weakening rupee and IMF-mandated subsidy removal. Phase 5 (2024–2025): Correction and plateau. Prices retreated to the Rs. 247–282 range. Phase 6 (2026): New all-time high, then rapid relief. The Strait of Hormuz crisis sent diesel to Rs. 520.35, then easing tensions and falling crude drove one of the steepest price descents in Pakistan’s fuel history — reaching Rs. 311.78 by 20 June 2026.

How OGRA Sets Diesel Prices in Pakistan

Before reviewing the full diesel price history in Pakistan, it is important to understand the pricing mechanism. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) calculates a recommended retail price every fortnight — on the 1st and 16th of each month — using a standardised formula. This formula combines:

🌐
International Crude Cost

Arabian Light and Brent crude benchmarks, converted at the prevailing USD/PKR exchange rate.

🚢
Freight & Port Charges

Inland Freight Equalisation Margin (IFEM) and port handling costs added to the import price.

🏭
OMC & Dealer Margins

Oil Marketing Company margin (~Rs. 7–9/L) and dealer commission (~Rs. 7.50/L).

💰
Petroleum Development Levy

The PDL (up to Rs. 60/L for HSD) is the primary government tool for balancing the budget with consumer impact.

📈
Exchange Rate (PKR/USD)

Every Rs. 1 depreciation against the dollar adds approximately Rs. 0.60–0.80 per litre of HSD at the pump.

PM’s Final Approval

OGRA’s recommendation goes to the Prime Minister’s office. The PM can accept, reduce, or in rare cases reject the recommended price.

This formula-driven mechanism means that Pakistan’s history of diesel prices is ultimately a record of three forces: global oil markets, the Pakistani rupee’s value, and government fiscal decisions. Understanding this interplay is the key to understanding every spike and every relief cut documented below.

Diesel Price History 2019 — Stability Before the Storm

2019
Range: Rs. 111.21 – Rs. 126.96/L
Trend: Gradual upward drift
Defining event: PTI government, rupee pressure begins

In 2019, High-Speed Diesel prices in Pakistan were in a period of managed stability, hovering between Rs. 111 and Rs. 127 per litre. The PTI government, which had taken office in August 2018, inherited a deteriorating macroeconomic situation. The Pakistani rupee began depreciating steadily against the dollar, adding incremental pressure to fuel import costs. Global oil prices were moderate — Brent crude averaged around $64 per barrel for the year — but the currency slide meant Pakistani consumers still felt upward pressure. OGRA revised prices fortnightly and the government accepted recommendations with modest adjustments. Diesel remained affordable relative to what was to come, but the structural vulnerabilities — import dependence, currency weakness, fiscal constraints — were already visible.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2019111.21Year opening rate
16 Jan 2019111.21No change
1 Feb 2019114.80▲ +3.59Crude uptick
16 Mar 2019113.99▼ −0.81Slight relief
1 May 2019116.58▲ +2.59PKR depreciation impact
1 Jul 2019118.32▲ +1.74Summer demand
1 Sep 2019117.09▼ −1.23Global crude softens
1 Nov 2019121.58▲ +4.49Winter crude rise
16 Dec 2019126.96▲ +5.38Year-end high

Diesel Price History 2020 — COVID Crash & Record Low

2020
Range: Rs. 80.08 – Rs. 122.27/L
Trend: Sharp drop, partial recovery
Defining event: COVID-19 pandemic — demand collapse

No single year in Pakistan’s modern fuel history was more dramatic than 2020 for the sheer speed of price collapse. As the COVID-19 pandemic shut down economies globally in March–April 2020, demand for oil plummeted. Brent crude briefly turned negative in international markets — an unprecedented event. Pakistan’s HSD price fell to Rs. 80.08 per litre in June 2020 — the lowest level in over a decade and the six-year low anchor of the entire 2019–2026 range. As economies reopened in the second half of 2020, prices began recovering. By December 2020, HSD was back above Rs. 105.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2020122.27Year opening, pre-COVID
1 Feb 2020120.46▼ −1.81Early crude softness
1 Mar 2020117.12▼ −3.34Pandemic fears hit markets
1 Apr 2020104.12▼ −13.00Lockdowns begin; demand crashes
16 Apr 202098.71▼ −5.41Oil markets in freefall
1 May 202092.74▼ −5.97Brent near-negative
16 May 202086.43▼ −6.31Continued collapse
1 Jun 202080.08▼ −6.35 6-Year LowCOVID demand trough
16 Jun 202082.91▲ +2.83Markets begin recovering
1 Aug 202087.22▲ +4.31Reopening demand
1 Oct 202096.50▲ +9.28Gradual crude recovery
16 Dec 2020106.46▲ +9.96Year-end recovery

Diesel Price History 2021 — Post-COVID Surge Begins

2021
Range: Rs. 106.46 – Rs. 144.15/L
Trend: Steady upward — +35% over the year
Defining event: Post-pandemic demand rebound, rupee slide

As vaccination programmes rolled out globally and economic activity resumed, 2021 brought an aggressive rebound in global oil prices. Pakistan was in a particularly difficult position: the rupee was depreciating steadily, the current account deficit was widening, and the PTI government was juggling energy subsidies against fiscal pressure. Diesel prices rose from Rs. 106 at the start of the year to Rs. 144.15 by December 2021 — a gain of approximately Rs. 38 per litre over twelve months, or roughly 35%.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2021106.46Year opening
1 Feb 2021108.13▲ +1.67Crude recovers
1 Apr 2021111.72▲ +3.59Global demand rises
1 Jun 2021114.53▲ +2.81
1 Aug 2021118.09▲ +3.56OPEC supply discipline
1 Sep 2021118.09No change
1 Oct 2021123.53▲ +5.44PKR weakens
16 Oct 2021127.30▲ +3.77
5 Nov 2021118.09▼ −9.21Govt levy cut — temporary relief
16 Nov 2021127.30▲ +9.21Levy restored
1 Dec 2021135.26▲ +7.96Global crude surge
16 Dec 2021144.15▲ +8.89Year-end high

Diesel Price History 2022 — Subsidy Shock & Rs. 262 in One Year

2022
Range: Rs. 144.15 – Rs. 263.31/L
Trend: +83% over the year — most extreme single-year rise
Defining event: Subsidy removal (May 2022), Russia-Ukraine war

The year 2022 was the single most violent year in the history of diesel prices in Pakistan. The outgoing PTI government had put a massive fuel subsidy in place, freezing prices artificially low. When that government was removed in April 2022 and the incoming PDM coalition took over, the subsidy was lifted. On 26 May 2022, HSD jumped in a single announcement that shocked Pakistan. By June 2022, diesel had crossed Rs. 262 per litre. By year-end it stood at Rs. 263.31 — an increase of more than Rs. 119 per litre in a single year.

⚠ 2022: The Subsidy-Removal Shock
The PTI government froze fuel prices below market cost for months using a subsidy that was costing the exchequer billions weekly. When the PDM coalition removed it in late May 2022, HSD jumped by approximately Rs. 57 per litre in a single notification — the largest single-announcement increase in Pakistan’s diesel history up to that point.
Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2022147.83▲ +3.68New year, rising crude
1 Feb 2022147.83FrozenGovt subsidy in place
16 Feb 2022147.83FrozenUkraine war erupts; global crude spikes
1 Mar 2022147.83FrozenSubsidy absorbs Rs. 40+ gap
1 Apr 2022147.83FrozenPTI ousted — political crisis
1 May 2022147.83Still frozen
27 May 2022204.64▲ +56.81 Shock HikeSubsidy removed — PDM coalition
3 Jun 2022214.90▲ +10.26
16 Jun 2022262.00▲ +47.10 Rs. 262Highest in Pakistan’s history — at the time
1 Jul 2022257.55▼ −4.45Slight global relief
16 Aug 2022241.50▼ −14.18Crude softens globally
1 Sep 2022224.97▼ −16.53
1 Oct 2022235.73▲ +6.84PKR weakens sharply
16 Oct 2022246.48▲ +10.75
1 Nov 2022251.97▲ +5.49
16 Dec 2022263.31▲ +4.65Year-end close

Diesel Price History 2023 — Peak at Rs. 323.38 (Previous Record)

2023
Range: Rs. 263.31 – Rs. 323.38/L
Trend: Record high — rupee collapses & IMF deal
Defining event: PKR loses 40%+ vs USD; IMF conditions enforced

If 2022 was the year of the subsidy shock, then 2023 was the year the Pakistani rupee broke. The currency lost over 40% of its value against the US dollar — a catastrophic depreciation that directly translated into soaring diesel import costs. In September 2023, HSD reached Rs. 323.38 per litre — the previous all-time record. From October 2023 onward, as the rupee stabilised and global crude softened, modest fortnightly reductions began.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2023263.31Year opening
16 Mar 2023278.96▲ +16.96Rupee accelerates lower
1 Apr 2023282.42▲ +3.46PKR nears Rs. 280/USD
1 Jun 2023302.36▲ +4.81 Rs. 300+ FirstCrosses Rs. 300 barrier
1 Jul 2023305.82▲ +3.46IMF SBA signed
1 Aug 2023314.72▲ +4.59
1 Sep 2023323.38▲ +5.21 Previous RecordAll-time high (until 2026)
16 Sep 2023316.00▼ −7.38Correction begins
1 Oct 2023307.42▼ −8.58Crude softens globally
16 Nov 2023283.38▼ −7.07
16 Dec 2023268.35▼ −7.86Year-end close — relief trend

Diesel Price History 2024 — Gradual Correction

2024
Range: Rs. 247.03 – Rs. 285.97/L
Trend: Downward correction from 2023 peak
Defining event: Stable PKR, global crude softens

After the brutality of 2023, 2024 brought a sustained — if incomplete — recovery for Pakistan’s diesel consumers. By October 2024, HSD had fallen to Rs. 247.03 per litre — a reduction of over Rs. 76 from the September 2023 peak. For transport operators, farmers, and industries, 2024 represented a plateau of high-but-stable costs, allowing some degree of budget planning after the chaos of the previous two years.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2024263.68▼ −4.67Relief continues from Q4 2023
1 Feb 2024257.22▼ −2.28
1 Mar 2024265.74▲ +7.38Global crude firms up
1 May 2024285.97▲ +4.41 2024 HighYear peak
1 Jun 2024278.05▼ −5.22
16 Jun 2024272.89▼ −5.16
1 Aug 2024259.47▼ −4.53
1 Oct 2024247.03▼ −2.41 2024 LowBest price since pre-subsidy shock
1 Nov 2024252.30▲ +3.51
16 Dec 2024261.42▲ +2.69Year-end close

Diesel Price History 2025 — Plateau & Relative Stability

2025
Range: Rs. 249.70 – Rs. 282.38/L
Trend: Stable plateau — fortnightly volatility within narrow band
Defining event: IMF Extended Fund Facility, stable PKR

For most of 2025, the history of diesel prices in Pakistan finally offered a chapter of relative calm. Pakistan entered a new IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF). HSD prices fluctuated within a comparatively narrow band of roughly Rs. 249 to Rs. 282 per litre. By December 2025, HSD stood at Rs. 263.45 per litre. No one anticipated what the next few months would bring.

Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2025249.70▼ −11.72Relief cut — new year opening
1 Feb 2025248.70▼ −3.90
1 Mar 2025255.81▲ +3.66
1 May 2025265.72▲ +2.27
1 Jun 2025268.38▲ +2.66Summer uptick
1 Jul 2025272.44▲ +1.63
1 Aug 2025272.89▼ −1.22
1 Sep 2025271.07▲ +0.63
1 Oct 2025276.81▲ +6.01Crude firms; PDL adjustments
1 Nov 2025282.38▲ +3.04 2025 HighYear peak
16 Nov 2025277.62▼ −4.76
1 Dec 2025271.38▼ −6.24
16 Dec 2025263.45▼ −7.93Year-end — stable close

Diesel Price History 2026 — Emergency Hike to Rs. 520.35, Then Historic Relief

2026
Range: Rs. 249.70 – Rs. 520.35/L
Trend: Emergency spike → rapid relief → current Rs. 311.78
Defining event: Strait of Hormuz closure → biggest cut ever

The most dramatic chapter in the entire history of diesel prices in Pakistan opened in early 2026. The year started quietly — prices drifted upward gradually from Rs. 249.70 in January. Then on 4 April 2026, the government issued an emergency notification setting HSD at Rs. 520.35 per litre — triggered by the Strait of Hormuz closure after military conflict involving Iran. This was an increase of Rs. 184.49 in a single announcement — the highest diesel price ever recorded in Pakistan’s history. Relief followed rapidly: on 25 April HSD fell to Rs. 380.19. Further fortnightly adjustments followed through May and into June. On 20 June 2026, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif announced a historic relief cut of Rs. 67.00 per litre, bringing HSD to Rs. 311.78/L — as easing regional tensions and falling global crude enabled the government to pass through the full benefit to consumers.

⚠ April 2026: All-Time Record
Rs. 520.35 per litre — set on 4 April 2026 — is the highest diesel price in Pakistan’s documented history. The single announcement increase of Rs. 184.49 was also the largest single-notification diesel hike ever.
✅ June 20, 2026: One of the Largest Relief Cuts Ever
The 20 June 2026 notification cut HSD by Rs. 67.00 per litre — from Rs. 378.78 to Rs. 311.78. Combined with the petrol cut of Rs. 74.00 announced simultaneously, this was described by PM Shahbaz Sharif as a fulfilment of the government’s commitment to pass on the full benefit of declining oil prices to citizens.
Effective Date HSD Price (PKR/L) Change Context
1 Jan 2026249.70Year opening — calm start
16 Jan 2026258.70▲ +9.00
1 Feb 2026261.70▲ +3.00
16 Feb 2026275.70▲ +14.00Regional tensions begin
1 Mar 2026280.86▲ +5.16US-Israel-Iran conflict emerges
7 Mar 2026335.86▲ +55.00 EmergencyEmergency hike — Hormuz closure begins
4 Apr 2026520.35▲ +184.49 ALL-TIME HIGHStrait of Hormuz fully closed — peak crisis
11 Apr 2026385.54▼ −134.81 Major ReliefPartial ceasefire — PM relief notification
25 Apr 2026380.19▼ −5.35Fortnightly revision
1 May 2026399.58▲ +19.39Renewed regional pressure
9 May 2026414.58▲ +15.00Weekly revision — tensions persist
16 May 2026409.58▼ −5.00Slight relief cut
30 May 2026380.78▼ −22.00 May 30Crude falls; fortnightly relief
6 Jun 2026378.78▼ −2.00Fortnightly revision — modest cut
20 Jun 2026311.78▼ −67.00 LATEST RATEPM Shahbaz announces massive Eid relief — Hormuz tensions ease, crude falls sharply

Complete Diesel Price Table — Key Annual Milestones (2019–2026)

The table below summarises the annual opening, peak, low, and closing diesel (HSD) prices in Pakistan for each year from 2019 to 2026, alongside the total change per year and the key driver.

Year Opening (Rs/L) Year Low (Rs/L) Year High (Rs/L) Year Close (Rs/L) Net Change % Change Key Driver
2019 111.21 111.21 126.96 126.96 +15.75 +14.2% PKR depreciation; moderate crude
2020 122.27 80.08 122.27 106.46 −20.50 −16.8% COVID-19 demand collapse
2021 106.46 106.46 144.15 144.15 +37.69 +35.4% Post-pandemic oil demand rebound
2022 147.83 147.83 262.00 263.31 +119.16 +80.6% Russia-Ukraine war; subsidy removal
2023 263.31 262.00 323.38 268.35 +5.04 +1.9% PKR −40%; IMF SBA; no subsidies
2024 263.68 247.03 285.97 261.42 −2.26 −0.9% PKR stabilises; crude softens
2025 249.70 248.70 282.38 263.45 +13.75 +5.5% IMF EFF stability; modest drift
2026 (to 20 Jun) 249.70 249.70 520.35 ▲ 311.78 +62.08 +24.9% Strait of Hormuz crisis → spike → massive relief cuts

Scaling Table: What You Pay at Different Litres

The table below shows the total cost of diesel in Pakistan at different fill-up quantities, comparing the key price milestones from the six-year history, including the current 20 June 2026 rate.

Litres Jun 2020 Low
Rs. 80.08
Jan 2022
Rs. 147.83
Jun 2022
Rs. 262.00
Sep 2023 Peak
Rs. 323.38
Apr 4, 2026
Rs. 520.35
Jun 20, 2026
Rs. 311.78
5 L4007391,3101,6172,6021,559
10 L8011,4782,6203,2345,2043,118
20 L1,6022,9575,2406,46810,4076,236
50 L4,0047,39213,10016,16926,01815,589
100 L8,00814,78326,20032,33852,03531,178
200 L16,01629,56652,40064,676104,07062,356
500 L40,04073,915131,000161,690260,175155,890
1,000 L80,0801,47,8302,62,0003,23,3805,20,3503,11,780

ⓘ All amounts in Pakistani Rupees (PKR), rounded to nearest whole number. At Rs. 311.78 (Jun 20, 2026), a 500L truck fill now costs ~Rs. 155,890 — compared to Rs. 260,175 at the April 2026 peak, a saving of over Rs. 104,000 per fill.

Visual Trend: Diesel Price in Pakistan 2019–2026

The bar chart below shows the annual year-end or milestone diesel price in Pakistan from 2019 through 2026. The dramatic spike in April 2026 and the rapid fall back to Rs. 311.78 by June 2026 are both clearly visible.

What Drives Diesel Prices in Pakistan? The 5 Core Forces

To truly understand the history of diesel price changes in Pakistan, it is essential to understand the five forces that determine where prices go.

1. International Crude Oil Prices (Brent & Arabian Light)

Pakistan imports virtually all of its diesel. Every $1 change in Brent crude translates to approximately Rs. 1.50–2.00 per litre at the Pakistani pump. The June 2026 relief cut was directly enabled by a sharp fall in global crude as Strait of Hormuz tensions eased.

2. USD/PKR Exchange Rate

Pakistan buys oil in US dollars. The 40%+ rupee depreciation in 2023 was the primary reason diesel crossed Rs. 300 for the first time. Every Rs. 1 depreciation against the dollar adds approximately Rs. 0.60–0.80 per litre to the pump price.

3. Government Taxes — Petroleum Development Levy (PDL)

The PDL — currently up to Rs. 60 per litre for HSD — is the government’s primary fiscal lever on fuel prices. The IMF’s conditions restrict Pakistan’s ability to sustain large subsidies, fundamentally limiting the government’s ability to shield consumers from global price movements.

4. Geopolitical Events

The April 2026 emergency hike to Rs. 520.35 was driven entirely by a geopolitical event — the Strait of Hormuz closure. Similarly, the Russia-Ukraine war of 2022 was the external trigger that exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability to the removal of its domestic subsidy. The June 2026 relief was equally geopolitically driven — by easing tensions.

5. Pakistan’s Fiscal Position & IMF Conditionalities

Since the 2023 IMF agreement, the government’s margin for absorbing price shocks through subsidies has been sharply limited, meaning global price movements pass through to consumers more directly and more quickly — both up and down.

Impact of Rising Diesel Prices in Pakistan

Transport & Freight Costs

Nearly all of Pakistan’s domestic freight moves by diesel-powered trucks. At Rs. 520.35 in April 2026, a single long-haul trip that previously cost Rs. 40,000 in diesel alone cost over Rs. 100,000. The June 2026 cut to Rs. 311.78 provides meaningful relief — but prices remain nearly three times the 2020 COVID-era low.

Agriculture & Food Prices

Pakistan’s agriculture sector is deeply diesel-dependent. Tractors, tube wells, threshers, and transport of produce all run on HSD. Rising diesel prices in Pakistan directly raise the cost of food production. The June 2026 cut should provide some relief to farm input costs heading into the kharif harvest season.

Power Generation

Generator-dependent businesses — hospitals, factories, commercial centres — all use HSD for backup power. In a country with chronic electricity shortages, diesel-powered generation is not optional for many. The Rs. 67/L June 2026 cut reduces generation costs significantly for such consumers.

Inflation (CPI & Core)

Studies suggest that every 10% increase in diesel prices feeds through to approximately 0.5–0.8 percentage points of additional CPI inflation within two months. The 2022–2023 diesel price surge contributed significantly to Pakistan’s inflation exceeding 38% in May 2023. The June 2026 cut of ~17% should provide measurable inflation relief in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diesel Price History in Pakistan

What is the history of diesel prices in Pakistan over the last 6 years?
Pakistan’s High-Speed Diesel (HSD) price ranged from approximately Rs. 111/L in January 2019 to a record high of Rs. 520.35/L on 4 April 2026. Key milestones include the COVID-era low of Rs. 80.08 (June 2020), the subsidy-shock high of Rs. 262 (June 2022), the previous record of Rs. 323.38 (September 2023), and the all-time record of Rs. 520.35 (April 2026). As of 20 June 2026, following a massive relief cut of Rs. 67.00, the current price is Rs. 311.78 per litre.
What is the highest diesel price ever recorded in Pakistan?
The all-time highest diesel (HSD) price in Pakistan is Rs. 520.35 per litre, set on 4 April 2026 through an emergency government notification. This followed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during military conflict involving Iran. The subsequent cut of Rs. 134.81 on 11 April 2026, and further cuts through June 2026, have since brought HSD to Rs. 311.78 as of 20 June 2026.
What is the current diesel price in Pakistan today?
As of 20 June 2026, the official OGRA-notified High-Speed Diesel (HSD) price in Pakistan is Rs. 311.78 per litre. This follows a major relief cut of Rs. 67.00 announced by Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, effective from 20 June 2026. The next fortnightly revision is expected around 1 July 2026.
What was the lowest diesel price in recent years in Pakistan?
The lowest recent diesel price was Rs. 80.08 per litre in June 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on global oil demand. This remains the six-year low anchor for the 2019–2026 period. The current rate of Rs. 311.78 (June 2026) is still nearly four times the COVID-era low.
Why did diesel price jump to Rs. 520 in April 2026?
On 4 April 2026, an emergency notification raised HSD to Rs. 520.35 following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz — triggered by military strikes on Iran. Pakistan’s PSO was paying import premiums of over $35 per barrel (up from $12) on diesel. The government could no longer absorb the cost and was compelled to pass the full emergency increase on to consumers. Prices have since fallen sharply as tensions eased, reaching Rs. 311.78 by 20 June 2026.
Why did diesel drop so much on 20 June 2026?
The Rs. 67.00 per litre cut on 20 June 2026 was driven by two converging factors: the easing of Strait of Hormuz tensions following a partial ceasefire, which reduced Pakistan’s import premium on diesel; and a sharp fall in global crude oil benchmark prices. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stated the government was passing the full benefit of improving regional and global oil market conditions to consumers. The announcement was timed to coincide with Eid ul-Adha as a relief measure.
Who is responsible for setting diesel prices in Pakistan?
The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) calculates a recommended retail price for diesel every fortnight using a formula based on international crude costs, exchange rates, freight, margins, and government taxes. The recommendation goes to the Prime Minister’s office, which issues the final official notification. OGRA does not set prices unilaterally — the government can accept, reduce, or modify the recommendation before issuance.
How often do diesel prices change in Pakistan?
Diesel prices are revised twice per month — on the 1st and 16th of each month — following OGRA’s standard fortnightly review cycle. However, emergency revisions can be issued outside this cycle when market conditions shift dramatically, as happened on 4 April 2026 and 11 April 2026 during the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
What is the difference between HSD and LDO diesel in Pakistan?
High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is the primary OGRA-regulated diesel fuel used in vehicles, trucks, tractors, generators, and modern industrial machinery. Light Diesel Oil (LDO) is a cheaper, lower-grade diesel for older industrial engines, less commonly available at retail pumps. As of 20 June 2026, HSD is Rs. 311.78/L and LDO is Rs. 259.76/L.

Data sources: OGRA official price notifications; Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) press releases; GlobalPetrolPrices.com historical data; PakistanPetrolPrices.com fortnightly tracking records. All prices are in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) per litre of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) unless otherwise stated. This page is updated with each new OGRA notification. Last updated: 20 June 2026.

Umme Muhammad
By Umme Muhammad

Founder of PakistanPetrolPrices.com. Covering official OGRA fuel price updates, energy news and consumer tools for Pakistan since 2020.

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