Pakistan, May 1 -- The government raised on Thursday the price of petrol by Rs 6.51 per litre and that of high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs 19.39.

Following the increase, the price of petrol stands at Rs 399.86 per litre and HSD's at Rs 399.58.

The Petroleum Division's press release notifying the increase said the new prices would be effective from May 1.

Petrol is mostly used in private transport, small vehicles, rickshaws and two-wheelers and has a direct bearing on the budget of the middle and lower-middle class. High-speed diesel is mainly used in the heavy transport sector and for large generators.

Thursday's price hike came as the Petroleum Division refuted reports claiming that petrol stations were to shut down in the country owing...