The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Tuesday rejected reports circulating on social media claiming a Rs73 increase in petrol prices and a Rs84 increase in diesel prices.

OGRA spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi told The Express Tribune that messages claiming a significant rise in petrol prices had no basis. “The message circulating on social media regarding an increase in petrol prices is completely false and misleading. No such summary has been sent by the OGRA to the prime minister,” he said.

“The public is advised not to rely on unverified social media forwards and to follow only official announcements issued by the Government of Pakistan or OGRA through verified channels,” he added.

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) had reported rumours circulating on social media about a petrol price increase of Rs73.40 and a possible diesel hike, which OGRA rejected.

A day earlier, while announcing austerity measures in the wake of the Middle East crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said petrol prices were expected to rise internationally in the coming days, but the government would try not to pass the burden on to the public.

Commenting on the recent increase in fuel prices, he said the government had been forced to raise oil prices in recent days, which he acknowledged was “undoubtedly a very difficult decision”. “I was advised to raise petrol prices much more than what was eventually announced, but I chose a middle path,” he added.

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Last Friday, the government increased the petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 per litre or 20%, signaling his government’s willingness to preempt any crisis. However, the increase in petrol prices was Rs23 per litre more than the need and the government went on to earn more revenues rather than sticking to the principle of just recovering the international oil prices from the domestic consumers.

The sharp increase has intensified the cost of living, with residents reporting higher transport fares and rising prices of daily-use items.

People also reported disputes at petrol pumps, where attendants were refusing to dispense fuel worth less than one litre. According to residents, many customers asked for petrol worth Rs150 or Rs200, but pump staff declined, saying the nozzle rate is fixed and fuel is either dispensed in smaller or larger quantities, leading to frequent arguments.

The rise in petrol prices also pushed up the cost of fruits, vegetables and other daily necessities. Shopkeepers said the transport cost of bringing fruits, vegetables and goods had previously been around Rs1,000 per trip but had now increased to between Rs2,500 and Rs3,000.

Drivers providing pick-and-drop services for schoolchildren have also raised their fares, with residents saying the entire burden has shifted to the public.