Petrol down Rs 1.65 to Rs 389.14 from midnight, diesel Rs 424.04

Petrol falls to Rs 389.14 a litre from midnight tonight, down Rs 1.65. High speed diesel drops 88 paisa to Rs 424.04. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority notified the new rates on Friday evening under the federal government's petroleum pricing mechanism.

The prices hold for three days, 19 to 21 September. Pakistan is no longer on the old fortnightly cycle: with the Strait of Hormuz disrupted and cargo costs moving daily, OGRA has been revising rates every few days through September.

What it costs at the pump tonight

Work out your own monthly fuel bill on the fuel cost calculator, and see the full price history on the petrol price data page.

Diesel is still the problem

Petrol has now given back Rs 2.08 in two notifications, on 17 and 18 September. Diesel has gone the other way: it rose Rs 3.47 on 18 September and tonight's cut of 88 paisa barely dents it. Diesel remains Rs 34.90 a litre more expensive than petrol.

That gap matters more than the headline number. Diesel moves goods, runs tube wells and powers the buses and trucks that set transport fares. Wheat sowing in Punjab and Sindh starts in October and runs on diesel tube wells. Freight rates set in the last fortnight have not come down, and they are unlikely to move on 88 paisa.

Relief scheme buyers pay Rs 289.14

If you are registered on the Rs 100 a litre fuel relief scheme, tonight's price means petrol at Rs 289.14 a litre against your token. Motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis get 20 litres a month, 800cc cars get 30. The prime minister on Friday ordered the scheme opened to motorcycles, rickshaws and Qingqis registered on or after 1 January 2006, which brings 20-year-old vehicles in. Registration is by SMS to 9771: how the scheme works and how to register.

Supply warning in the background

The Oil Advisory Council warned on Friday that disruptions to regional supply routes, including the East-West Pipeline, could affect the movement of petroleum products, and asked the government for support at an emergency meeting called in Karachi. The council said that if support did not come and supplies were disrupted, the industry should not be held responsible for shortages. The petroleum minister said this week that Pakistan's petrol and diesel needs are covered for September and October.

What to do

If your tank is near empty tonight, wait until after midnight: on 40 litres you keep Rs 66. If you run a diesel vehicle, tonight's cut is not a reason to change anything. If you own a bike, a rickshaw or an 800cc car and have not registered on 9771, that is worth far more than any notification, up to Rs 3,000 a month.