Pakistan's federal government has increased the price of high-speed diesel by Rs2.29 a litre, while leaving the petrol price unchanged. Under the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority notification, diesel now costs Rs402.96 a litre, up from Rs400.67, and petrol remains at Rs377.91 a litre. The revised rates took effect on Saturday, 31 October, and will remain in force until Monday, 2 November.

The announcement was made on Friday, 30 October, by the Petroleum Division and the regulator. It is the latest adjustment under Pakistan's move to more frequent fuel pricing, in which prices are reviewed against international market rates rather than being fixed for a fortnight at a time. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has said daily prices are calculated using a seven-day rolling average of international rates.

What drivers will pay

For petrol users, there is no change at the pump for the next three days. For diesel users, the increase adds to transport and freight costs, since diesel powers trucks, buses, tractors and much of the country's goods movement. Even a rise of a few rupees a litre can feed through to fares and the price of transported goods, although the effect of a single three-day revision is usually modest.

The timing also matters for households and small businesses planning weekend travel and deliveries. Rates hold over the weekend until the next revision after 2 November.

Why the system changed

Officials say publishing prices daily, based on a rolling average, improves transparency and keeps domestic prices closer to global movements. Critics of frequent changes argue they make budgeting harder for transporters and consumers. Supporters say the old fortnightly system created larger, sharper jumps when world prices moved.

For now: check the pump price before a long journey, and watch for the next update after 2 November.