Fuel prices to remain stable for next fortnight, minor adjustments expected

The prices of petroleum products are expected to remain largely unchanged for the fortnight starting May 1, 2025, with only minor adjustments expected in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel. 

Official estimates indicate that petrol may decrease by Re0.016 per litre, while high-speed diesel could increase by just Re0.01 per litre. However, these small fluctuations will likely not be passed on to consumers.

Sources said that the slight price changes in petrol and diesel come amid stable global oil prices, with Brent crude remaining at $65.52 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude at $61.87 per barrel. These figures are influenced by market expectations of oversupply and ongoing uncertainty surrounding tariff negotiations between the US and China.

In addition to these minor fluctuations, the price of kerosene is expected to rise by 0.8% (Rs1.30 per litre), reaching Rs170.68 per litre from the current Rs169.38. Similarly, the price of Light Diesel Oil (LDO) is set to increase by Rs1.35, bringing the price to Rs154.39 per litre from Rs153.04 per litre.

For the last fortnight, on April 15, the government kept fuel prices unchanged at Rs 254.63 per litre for petrol and Rs 258.84 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD), despite a large decline in international prices. Instead, the government announced direct savings from petroleum prices towards strategic infrastructure projects in Balochistan, a region long overlooked in terms of development.

During a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the government would utilise the funds saved from fuel price adjustments for the reconstruction of the N-25 highway, which connects Karachi to Chaman via Quetta, Kalat, and Khuzdar. 

On Tuesday, crude oil prices fell in early Asian trading as investors lowered their demand growth expectations due to the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the world’s two biggest economies.

Brent crude futures fell by 25 cents, or 0.4%, to $65.61 per barrel by 0024 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 18 cents, or 0.3%, to $61.87 a barrel. Both benchmarks fell more than $1 on Monday.