The government has announced its decision to keep the price of petrol unchanged which stands at Rs282 per litre, however, they increased the price of high-speed diesel by Rs5 per litre to Rs288 per litre.

“The prices of light-diesel oil and kerosene oil have been reduced by Rs10 to Rs164.68 and Rs176.07 per litre,” said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in a video message on Sunday.

Dar claimed that the finance ministry had tried its utmost to settle the matter of price changes in the nation’s favour after the recommendation from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority. “The final price changes were settled after many rounds of discussion.”

On April 15, Dar announced an increase of Rs10 per litre in the price of petrol. The prices of diesel and light diesel oil had remained unchanged at Rs293 and Rs174.68 but the price of kerosene was increased by Rs5.78 to Rs186.07.

The price of petrol is influenced by multiple factors, the main one being international oil prices. But, prices are also increased due to Pakistani Repee’s dwindling exchange rate against the dollar, which has especially suffered in the last year.

To ease its energy woes, Pakistan is looking to explore the option of importing Russian oil. The first shipment is expected to arrive at the end of May and the government has claimed it will be 35% cheaper than the oil it normally purchases.