The federal government on Saturday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs8 per litre and Rs5.16 per litre, respectively, for the next 15 days.
In a notification, the Petroleum Division said petrol is now Rs266.17 per litre, up from Rs258.17.
Diesel has been raised by Rs5.16 to Rs280.86 per litre, from the previous Rs275.70.
Earlier, sources had said the government was likely to raise petroleum product prices from March 1, 2026, after a surge in global crude oil rates.
During the last fortnightly review, high-speed diesel had been set at Rs275.70 per litre and petrol at Rs258.17 per litre.
Petrol is mainly used by commuters in small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, so higher prices significantly affect middle- and lower-middle-class household budgets that rely on petrol for daily travel.
A large part of the transport sector depends on high-speed diesel. Its price is seen as inflationary because it powers heavy goods vehicles, trucks, buses, trains, and agricultural machinery such as tractors, tube wells, and threshers. Increased diesel consumption particularly contributes to higher prices for vegetables and other food items.