Petrol prices in Pakistan reached Rs 321.17 per litre on March 7, 2026 — the result of a single day hike of Rs 55, the largest in the country’s history. The cause was not domestic. It was the US–Israel war on Iran, which shut down the Strait of Hormuz and removed 20% of the world’s oil supply from global markets overnight.
This guide covers everything you need to know: today’s official OGRA rates for PSO and Shell, city-wise prices for Lahore and all major cities, a full historical price graph, how the Iran war is driving costs up, and what to expect next.
Petrol prices in Pakistan today 2026 — current official rates
The following rates are per the official OGRA notification effective March 7, 2026, as confirmed by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division). All oil marketing companies — PSO, Shell, Total PARCO, Attock, GO — charge uniform pump prices set by OGRA.
Fuel Type
Price
Unit
Change
Date
Petrol (Super MS-92)
321.17
PKR / litre
▲ +55.00
Mar 7, 2026
High-Speed Diesel (HSD)
335.86
PKR / litre
▲ +55.00
Mar 7, 2026
Kerosene Oil
358.81
PKR / litre
▲ +40.00
Mar 7, 2026
Light Diesel Oil (LDO)
159.76
PKR / litre
● No change
–
Hi-Octane (HOBC)*
535.00
PKR / litre
▲ +206
Mar 22, 2026
LPG
213.88
PKR / kg
▼ −2.52
Mar 2026
*Hi-Octane prices are NOT regulated by OGRA. The Rs 535/L rate follows a Rs 200/L levy increase announced March 22, 2026 via official PMO notification. Sources: OGRA ogra.org.pk, PakistanPetrolPrices.com, PSO psopk.com.
Historic milestone: The March 7 single-day increase of Rs 55 per litre for both petrol and diesel is the largest one-day fuel price revision in Pakistan’s recorded history. It came directly from the Strait of Hormuz crisis caused by the Iran–US–Israel war.
PSO petrol price in Pakistan today & Shell petrol price in Pakistan today
Both PSO (Pakistan State Oil) and Shell Pakistan follow identical OGRA-mandated retail prices. There is no difference in pump price between companies for regulated fuels.
Company
Petrol MS-92
HSD Diesel
Hi-Octane*
PSO (Pakistan State Oil)
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Varies by outlet
Shell Pakistan
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Varies by outlet
Total PARCO
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Varies by outlet
Attock Petroleum
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Varies by outlet
GO Petroleum / Hascol
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Varies by outlet
Source: OGRA official notification, PSO psopk.com, Shell Pakistan. Effective March 7, 2026.
Petrol price in Pakistan today Lahore — city-wise breakdown
OGRA sets a single national base price. All major cities pay the same regulated rate. Slight variations in remote areas come from the Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM) — a government mechanism that compensates for transport costs from Karachi’s port and refineries to distant regions.
City
Petrol (MS-92)
HSD Diesel
IFEM note
Karachi
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Closest to refineries
Lahore
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Covered by IFEM
Islamabad / Rawalpindi
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Covered by IFEM
Peshawar
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Covered by IFEM
Quetta
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Covered by IFEM
Faisalabad / Multan
Rs 321.17/L
Rs 335.86/L
Covered by IFEM
Gilgit-Baltistan / AJK
Rs 321.17/L +freight
Rs 335.86/L +freight
Additional freight surcharge may apply
Source: OGRA notification, PakFuel.today, PakistanPetrolPrices.com. The petrol price in Pakistan today Lahore is identical to all other major cities under OGRA’s regulated pricing.
Petrol price in Pakistan today increase — the March 2026 timeline
Understanding how quickly petrol prices in Pakistan changed in March 2026 shows the severity of the war’s impact on consumers.
Date
Petrol (PKR/L)
Diesel (PKR/L)
Change
Reason
Feb 1, 2026
258.17
275.70
—
Fortnightly OGRA review
Feb 16, 2026
258.17
275.70
No change
Prices held stable
Mar 1, 2026
266.17
280.86
+8 / +5.16
Global crude rising pre-war
Mar 7, 2026
321.17
335.86
+55 / +55
Strait of Hormuz crisis — historic hike
Mar 21, 2026
321.17
335.86
No change
Prices held; ceasefire talks ongoing
Sources: Profit by Pakistan Today (profit.pakistantoday.com.pk), Bloom Pakistan, OGRA official notification, PakWheels Blog.
How the Iran–US–Israel war is driving petrol prices in Pakistan up
What happened — the war’s timeline
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, codenamed Operation Epic Fury. Iran retaliated immediately with missile and drone attacks across Gulf states hosting US forces. On March 4, Iran’s IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) described the resulting situation as the “greatest global energy security challenge in history” — worse than the 1970s oil shocks and the 2022 Russia–Ukraine war combined.
The Strait of Hormuz — why it matters to Pakistan
The Strait of Hormuz is just 34 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. Yet it carries approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day — roughly 20% of all oil traded globally. In 2024, 84% of all crude transiting the strait was destined for Asian markets.
Pakistan imports virtually all of its crude from Gulf nations — Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait — all of whom ship exclusively through this chokepoint. When the strait closed, Pakistan’s entire import pipeline was disrupted immediately.
What the global data shows
Brent crude oil soared to nearly $120 per barrel — close to its highest point of $147 recorded in July 2008. In 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Brent also spiked, reaching $139 per barrel in March, before stabilizing.
The IEA assessed that Gulf production cuts reached at least 10 million barrels per day — the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.
Goldman Sachs estimated that traders were demanding about $14 more per barrel than before the conflict to compensate for increased risks, as of March 3. The bank raised its Brent forecast to an average of $110 in March and April.
Neil Atkinson, former head of oil at the IEA, warned that unless something changes very soon, “we are in a potentially game-changing and unprecedented energy crisis.”
Brent crude surpassed $100 per barrel on March 8, 2026 — the first time in four years — rising to $126 per barrel at its peak. The closure has been described as the largest disruption to energy supply since the 1970s energy crisis.
Pakistan’s direct exposure
Pakistan sent naval destroyers to escort tankers in the Gulf of Oman, though not inside the Strait itself. On March 16, a Pakistani oil tanker crossed the strait with Iranian permission — a critical development that helped ease some immediate supply concerns.
The government called an emergency meeting chaired by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar. The outcome: the historic Rs 55 per litre hike on March 7, plus a shift from fortnightly to weekly price reviews to allow faster response to continued market volatility.
Outlook: Goldman Sachs warned that if Hormuz flows remain at 5% of normal for 10 weeks, daily Brent prices will likely exceed their 2008 record of $147/barrel. For Pakistan, that scenario would require further pump price increases beyond the current Rs 321.17/L.
What makes up petrol prices in Pakistan — the pricing formula
OGRA uses a transparent six-component formula to calculate every fuel price revision. Each element can move independently.
Ex-refinery / import price (crude)
~52%
Petroleum Development Levy (PDL)
Rs 70/L fixed
General Sales Tax (GST)
~18% on base
Inland Freight Equalization (IFEM)
Variable
Distribution margin
Fixed
Dealer commission
Fixed
Total pump price
Rs 321.17
Every $1 change in Brent crude equals approximately Rs 1.50–2.00 per litre at the pump. Every Rs 1 depreciation of the PKR against the USD adds Rs 0.60–0.80 per litre — even if global oil prices stay flat.
Rising petrol prices in Pakistan do not just affect motorists — they drive up the cost of goods, logistics, food supply chains, and manufacturing across the entire economy. For a deeper look at how fuel costs are reshaping Pakistan’s economic landscape in 2026, explore our business coverage covering inflation, trade, and investment trends affecting Pakistani consumers and enterprises.
Key factors driving petrol prices in Pakistan
Global crude oil price
The single biggest driver. Each $1/barrel move = Rs 1.5–2.0/L at the pump. March 2026 saw Brent surge from $72 to $126 at peak — a 75% spike in under two weeks.
PKR/USD exchange rate
Pakistan buys oil in US dollars. A weaker rupee directly raises import costs even when crude prices are stable globally.
PDL + GST taxation
Rs 70/L PDL plus GST add up to ~28% of pump price. These are government revenue tools and often increased under IMF programme conditions.
Geopolitical disruptions
The Strait of Hormuz crisis is the clearest example. Physical chokepoint closures cannot be worked around — unlike sanctions-driven disruptions, they stop actual physical flows.
OPEC+ production policy
Quarterly OPEC+ meetings move global supply directly. Gulf producers cut at least 10 million barrels/day in March 2026 because storage filled up with nowhere to ship crude.
War-risk insurance surcharges
Tanker insurance premiums for the Strait jumped from 0.125% to 0.4% of ship value per transit. JPMorganChase estimated full insurance coverage of Gulf tankers would require over $350 billion.
Petrol price in Pakistan tomorrow — what to expect
Pakistan has moved to weekly fuel price reviews. The next revision is due in late March or early April 2026.
Three scenarios are possible. First, if the Strait of Hormuz reopens and ceasefire talks succeed — partial price relief is possible, as Brent has already pulled back from $126 to approximately $85–100. Second, if the war continues but tanker escort operations succeed — prices stabilise near current levels. Third, if the Strait remains blocked for 10+ weeks — Goldman Sachs projects Brent exceeding the $147 all-time record, which would force Pakistan to raise pump prices beyond Rs 321.17.
As of March 23, Trump indicated a five-day halt on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure and said US–Iran talks had been “productive.” Brent fell 11% to below $100 on that news — the first significant relief for global oil markets since the war began.
For the latest official petrol prices in Pakistan, bookmark ogra.org.pk/notified-petroleum-prices — all fortnightly OGRA notifications are published there first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are petrol prices in Pakistan today 2026?
Petrol prices in Pakistan today 2026 are Rs 321.17 per litre for Super petrol (MS-92) and Rs 335.86 per litre for high-speed diesel (HSD), effective March 7, 2026 per official OGRA notification.
What is the PSO petrol price in Pakistan today?
The PSO petrol price in Pakistan today is Rs 321.17 per litre. PSO follows OGRA-mandated uniform pricing. All PSO outlets nationwide charge the same regulated price.
What is the Shell petrol price in Pakistan today?
The Shell petrol price in Pakistan today is Rs 321.17 per litre — identical to PSO, Total PARCO, and all other oil marketing companies. OGRA regulates all Super petrol prices uniformly.
What is the petrol price in Pakistan today in Lahore?
Petrol price in Pakistan today in Lahore is Rs 321.17 per litre. The OGRA-regulated pump price is uniform across Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and all major cities in Pakistan.
Why did petrol prices in Pakistan increase in March 2026?
The petrol price in Pakistan today increase of Rs 55/L on March 7 was caused by the US–Israel war on Iran. Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on March 4, disrupting 20% of global oil supply and sending Brent crude surging to nearly $120/barrel, forcing Pakistan’s largest ever single-day fuel price hike.
What is the petrol price in Pakistan tomorrow?
Petrol price in Pakistan tomorrow remains Rs 321.17/L until the next weekly OGRA revision. Whether prices rise or fall depends on Brent crude levels and the status of the Strait of Hormuz. Monitor ogra.org.pk for the next official notification.
What was the highest ever petrol price in Pakistan?
The all-time highest petrol price in Pakistan was Rs 331.38 per litre on September 16, 2023. The current price of Rs 321.17 is close to that record and could exceed it if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.
