ISLAMABAD – After hike in the prices of petrol and diesel, the prices of essential commodities including medicines are expected to rise across Pakistan.
The milk, vegetables, fruits and medicines prices are likely to increase after hike in the prices of the petroleum products.
Similarly, the fares of the passengers are also likely to go up after this development.
However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif passed directives that the increase in the petrol and diesel prices should not affect the consumers and passengers, and he directed strict monitoring.
But the experts believe that how the fares could be stopped from being increased when the prices of petrol and diesel are high.
“Panadol syrup which is for the children is also very expensive now after increase in the petrol and diesel prices. This is what is happening now with the prices of the medicines. This is just a single example as prices of almost every other medicine have doubled,” said Muhammad Sami, a resident of Sanda area in Lahore.
On Thursday night, New Petrol price jumped to Rs399.58 from May 1, 2026 while Diesel price jacked up by staggering Rs19.39 for the month of May 2026.
New Petrol Rates in Pakistan
| Product | Old Price | New Price | Increase |
| Diesel | 380.19 | 399.58 | +19.39 |
| Petrol | 393.35 | 399.86 | +6.51 |
Starting May 1, 2026, people across Pakistan will once again feel the pinch as the government has increased fuel prices. The announcement came through a press release from the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) on April 30.
The biggest jump has been in high-speed diesel (HSD), which is widely used in trucks, buses, and agricultural machinery. Its price has gone up by Rs. 19.39 per liter, taking it to Rs. 399.58. This sharp increase is likely to affect transportation costs and, eventually, the prices of everyday goods.
Petrol, mainly used by motorcycles and cars, has also become more expensive. It has risen by Rs. 6.51 per liter, with the new price set at Rs. 399.86.
For many citizens, this news adds to the ongoing financial strain. Fuel prices were already at high levels in the previous review, and this latest hike will make commuting and running businesses even more difficult.
Officials say the increase is linked to changes in international oil prices and is part of the government’s policy to adjust local rates accordingly. However, for the average person, the concern is simple: higher fuel costs often mean higher expenses across the board.
With the new rates coming into effect at midnight, people are bracing for another round of rising costs in transport and daily necessities.
