ISLAMABAD: The government announced a reduction in the petrol price in Pakistan by Rs5.45 per liter on Tuesday night, bringing the overall rate down to Rs288.49 for the next 15 days following a recommendation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Pakistan typically adjusts petroleum prices on a fortnightly basis, taking into account fluctuations in the international energy market and the rupee-dollar exchange rate.
According to an official notification, the diesel price has also seen a downward revision of Rs8.42 per liter, setting it at Rs281.96.
“The prices of Petroleum products have seen a decreasing trend in the international market during the last fortnight,” the notification announced. “The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has worked out the consumer prices, based on the price variations in the international market. The prices of Motor Spirit [petrol] & HSD [high-speed diesel] for the next fortnight, starting from 1st May, 2024, are accordingly being lowered.”
Earlier, the government increased the petrol and diesel prices by Rs4.5 and Rs8.1 per liter, respectively, on April 15.
Pakistan significantly increased fuel prices after securing a short-term, $3 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year.
The rising rates also led to spiraling inflation in the country, though the government started offering relief to the people by gradually bringing down the petroleum prices.
Pakistan is in the process of securing yet another IMF loan which is expected to be bigger in terms of size and duration.
Pakistan reduces petrol and diesel prices amid favorable global energy market conditions
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Pakistan reduces petrol and diesel prices amid favorable global energy market conditions
- The government has announced to bring down the petrol and diesel prices by Rs5.45 and Rs8.42 respectively
- Rising fuel cost in Pakistan led to inflationary pressure in economy, though things are said to be improving
Death toll in Pakistan wedding suicide blast rises to six
- Attack targeted members of local peace committee in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Dera Ismail Khan
- Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces
PESHAWAR: The death toll from a suicide bombing at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan rose to six, police said on Saturday, after funeral prayers were held for those killed in the attack a day earlier.
The bomber detonated explosives during a wedding gathering in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, injuring more than a dozen, some of them critically.
“The death toll has surged to six,” said Nawab Khan, Superintendent of Police for Saddar Dera Ismail Khan. “Police have completed the formalities and registered the case against unidentified attackers.”
“It was a suicide attack and the Counter Terrorism Department will further investigate the case,” he continued, adding that security had been stepped up across the district to prevent further incidents.
No militant group has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Khan cautioned against speculation, citing ongoing militancy in the area, and said the investigation was being treated with “utmost seriousness.”
The explosion targeted the home of a member of a local peace committee, which is part of community-based groups that cooperate with security forces and whose members have frequently been targeted by militants in the past.
Some media reports also cited a death toll of seven, quoting police authorities.
Emergency officials said several of the wounded were taken to hospital soon after the blast.
Militant attacks have intensified in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since the Taliban returned to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021, with Islamabad accusing Afghan authorities of “facilitating” cross-border assaults, a charge Kabul denies.
