The government on Monday decreased the high-speed diesel (HSD) price by Rs14 and kept the petrol price unchanged for the fortnight ending December 31, owing to favourable international market prices. The Petroleum Division said the revision followed movements in international markets and recommendations from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to the announcement, the ex-depot price of HSD has been reduced by Rs14 per litre (5pc) to Rs265.65 per litre for the current fortnight from Rs279.65 per litre. Most of the transport sector runs on HSD. Its price is considered inflationary as it is mostly used in heavy transport vehicles, trains and agricultural engines like trucks, buses, tractors, tube-wells, threshers, and particularly adds to the prices of vegetables and other eatables. Transporters had already increased their fares based on an approximate Rs27 per litre increase between May and August, and have not reversed them despite a Rs9 per litre cut. The ex-depot petrol price was kept unchanged at Rs263.45 per litre. Petrol is primarily used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws, and two-wheelers, and directly impacts the budgets of the middle and lower-middle classes.
RLNG prices slashed: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has announced the new prices for regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for the month of December. According to the notification, the price of RLNG for Sui Northern has been reduced by 4.61%, bringing the new rate to $11.82 per mmBtu. Similarly, the RLNG price for Sui Southern has been decreased by 5.90%, setting the new price at $10.77 per mmBtu. Meanwhile, Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan directed a high-level delegation to immediately proceed to Karachi to resolve issues of the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance (PGTA). It was informed that the Goods Transport Alliance has been observing a strike for the eighth consecutive day, resulting in disruption to the movement of goods and adverse effects on economic activity. The minister emphasized that prolonged strikes cause losses to all stakeholders, particularly those associated with the transport sector. He reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving all legitimate concerns of the transporters.