The federal government on Monday announced an increase of Rs2.78 per litre in the price of high-speed diesel, effective September 16.

The new price now stands at Rs272.77 per litre, compared to the previous Rs269.99. The adjustment was made on the recommendations of OGRA, taking into account ministry inputs and global oil market trends.

While diesel prices have gone up, the government has kept petrol unchanged at Rs264.61 per litre.

Petrol is the primary fuel for small vehicles, motorbikes, and rickshaws — lifelines for millions of middle and lower-middle-income households.

Any change in its cost directly affects their already stretched household budgets. Diesel, however, plays an even larger role in daily life.

It powers heavy goods transport, buses, trains, and essential agricultural machinery like tractors, tube wells, and threshers.

An increase in its price is often considered inflationary, as it raises the cost of transporting food and essentials.

This latest hike is expected to push up vegetable and commodity prices, adding further pressure on families already battling high living costs.