Petrol and Diesel Prices Jump in Pakistan: Government Announces Major Fuel Price Hike

 Pakistanis woke up to a significant increase in fuel prices after the federal government announced a sharp hike in petrol and diesel rates late Friday night. The sudden adjustment has pushed fuel costs to new highs, putting additional pressure on consumers and businesses already dealing with rising living expenses.

New Petrol and Diesel Prices in Pakistan

The government has raised the price of both petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD) by Rs. 55 per litre. Following this increase:

• Petrol (Motor Spirit) now costs Rs. 321.17 per litre

• High-Speed Diesel (HSD) is now priced at Rs. 335.86 per litre

The revised rates came into effect immediately starting Saturday, March 6, 2026.

Government Reduces Petroleum Levy on Diesel

Despite the steep price jump, the government slightly adjusted the petroleum levy on diesel. Officials reduced the levy from Rs. 76.21 per litre to Rs. 55.20 per litre, according to sources familiar with the decision.

Authorities say the adjustment was part of a broader strategy to manage rising global oil costs while maintaining fiscal balance.

Officials Announce Decision in Late-Night Press Conference

The price hike was formally announced during a press briefing attended by several senior government officials, including:

• Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar

• Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb

• Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervez Malik

During the briefing, officials explained that the increase was unavoidable due to international market conditions and financial commitments.

Global Tensions Driving Oil Market Volatility

One of the primary reasons behind the surge in fuel prices is the escalating geopolitical tension in the Middle East. The uncertainty has caused instability in global commodity markets, pushing crude oil prices upward.

As international oil costs rise, countries that rely heavily on imports—like Pakistan—often have little choice but to pass the increase on to consumers.

IMF Pressure to Pass Fuel Costs to Consumers

Another factor influencing the decision is pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF recently urged Pakistan’s government to avoid subsidizing fuel and instead allow market prices to reflect global trends.

The financial institution has emphasized the need for Pakistan to reduce subsidies and strengthen fiscal discipline as part of ongoing economic reforms.

Second Fuel Price Increase in a Week

This latest announcement comes only a week after the government had already increased fuel prices.

Previously:

• Diesel was priced at Rs. 280.86 per litre

• Petrol stood at Rs. 266.17 per litre

With the new adjustment, fuel prices have risen sharply within a short period, intensifying concerns about transportation costs, inflation, and the broader economic impact.

Impact on Consumers and the Economy

Higher fuel prices typically have a ripple effect across the economy. Transportation, logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors rely heavily on diesel and petrol, meaning operational costs may rise.

As a result, consumers may soon see higher prices for goods and services, adding further strain on household budgets.

Why You Feel Rejected When Someone Doesn’t Text Back (And How to Stop Overthinking It)

Why Silence Feels Like Rejection

You send a message to someone—maybe a friend, colleague, or someone you're dating. Hours pass. Then a full day goes by without a reply.

Suddenly, your mind starts racing.

Did I say something wrong?
Are they ignoring me?
Did I upset them somehow?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people experience this mental spiral when communication goes quiet. The truth is, your brain may be creating a story that isn’t actually happening.

Understanding why this happens can help you stop the cycle of overthinking and respond to situations in a healthier way.

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Your Brain Is Wired to Expect Problems

Psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks explains that our brains are naturally built with what psychologists call a negativity bias. This means the brain tends to focus more on potential threats than neutral or positive possibilities.

From an evolutionary standpoint, this helped humans survive. Our brains constantly scan for danger and try to predict what might go wrong before it happens.

But this survival mechanism can backfire in modern life.

When someone doesn’t text back, the brain doesn’t like uncertainty. So it fills the silence with assumptions. Instead of considering neutral explanations—like the person being busy—it may jump to worst-case scenarios.

In other words, the mind becomes a story-generating machine.

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How Your Mind Creates False Narratives

When communication pauses, your brain may start connecting the situation with past experiences.

For example, if you’ve experienced rejection before, your mind might automatically replay those memories and apply them to the current situation.

This can lead to thoughts such as:

• “They must be upset with me.”

• “They don’t like me anymore.”

• “I’ve probably ruined the relationship.”

The problem is that these conclusions are often built on imagination rather than facts. The brain tries to assign motives to others—even when there’s no real evidence.

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Why Catastrophizing Can Damage Relationships

Constantly assuming the worst can create unnecessary stress and tension.

When your mind focuses only on negative interpretations, it may cause you to:

• Send anxious follow-up messages

• Withdraw emotionally

• Feel rejected or hurt without confirmation

• Create conflict that didn’t exist before

Over time, this pattern can affect both your mental well-being and your relationships.

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How to Stop Overthinking When Someone Doesn’t Reply

Fortunately, there are ways to break this cycle and keep your thoughts grounded in reality.

1. Pause Before Reacting

When your mind starts creating negative stories, take a moment to step back. Remind yourself that silence doesn’t automatically mean rejection.

2. Look for Neutral Explanations

People often delay replies because they are busy, distracted, or dealing with their own responsibilities. There are usually many explanations that have nothing to do with you.

3. Avoid Mind-Reading

You cannot accurately determine someone’s intentions without communication. Assuming motives can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

4. Redirect Your Attention

Instead of repeatedly checking your phone, focus on another task or activity. This helps interrupt the cycle of rumination.

5. Strengthen Emotional Awareness

Recognizing when your thoughts are being driven by past experiences or insecurities can help you respond more rationally in the present.

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Building Healthier Communication Habits

Learning to manage these automatic thought patterns can make relationships healthier and less stressful.

By recognizing that your brain sometimes creates stories to fill uncertainty, you can avoid unnecessary emotional reactions and maintain stronger connections with others.

The next time someone takes a while to reply to a message, remember: silence does not always mean rejection.

Often, it simply means life is happening on the other side of the phone.

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About Dr. Tracey Marks

Dr. Tracey Marks is a psychiatrist with more than two decades of experience helping people better understand their mental health. She focuses on explaining how the brain works and how individuals can use that knowledge to build resilience and emotional balance.

Through her widely followed educational content, she breaks down complex psychological concepts—such as anxiety, sleep, self-esteem, and mood disorders—into practical insights people can use in everyday life.

Why Yo-Yo Dieting Might Not Be So Bad After All, According to New Research

 

New Study Suggests Yo-Yo Dieting May Have Surprising Health Benefits

For years, yo-yo dieting—the cycle of losing weight through dieting and then gaining it back—has been viewed as harmful to health. Many earlier studies warned that repeated weight fluctuations could raise the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

However, new research is challenging that long-standing belief.

A recent study published in BMC Medicine suggests that repeated attempts to lose weight may actually provide long-term health benefits, particularly by reducing visceral fat, the dangerous fat that accumulates around internal organs in the abdomen.

Looking Beyond the Number on the Scale

The study is being described as the largest long-term MRI-based trial examining repeated weight-loss attempts. Its findings indicate that even when people regain weight after dieting, their bodies may retain important metabolic improvements.

According to Professor Iris Shai, the study’s lead investigator, focusing only on body weight can miss the bigger picture.

She explained that maintaining dedication to healthier eating habits can create what researchers call “cardiometabolic memory.” This means the body may remember and benefit from previous healthy lifestyle changes—even after weight is regained.

In other words, trying again after a dieting setback might still improve long-term health.

Health Improvements Can Persist After Weight Regain

Lead author Hadar Klein, a doctoral researcher at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, emphasized that body weight alone doesn’t reveal everything happening inside the body.

Key indicators like visceral fat levels and metabolic biomarkers can improve significantly during dieting—and those improvements may remain even if the scale goes back up.

This means success shouldn’t be measured solely by the number on the scale.

How the Study Was Conducted

Researchers followed approximately 300 participants who took part in two separate dietary intervention trials, each lasting 18 months.

The participants were observed over a long period, including follow-ups five and ten years later. The trials primarily focused on a Mediterranean-style diet combined with physical activity, compared with standard control diets.

Using detailed MRI scans, scientists measured participants’ abdominal fat levels and metabolic health markers before and after each program.

Surprising Results from the Second Weight-Loss Attempt

When participants entered the second intervention, most had regained the weight they had previously lost. However, the scans revealed something unexpected.

Despite returning to their original body weight, participants showed healthier abdominal fat profiles and improved metabolic markers compared with their starting point years earlier.

The improvements were significant:

• 15% to 25% better metabolic indicators

• Improved insulin sensitivity

• A healthier cholesterol and lipid profile

These findings support the idea that previous weight-loss efforts can leave behind a positive metabolic impact.

Repeated Attempts Still Deliver Long-Term Gains

Interestingly, participants lost slightly less weight during their second diet attempt compared to the first. Even so, they still experienced better long-term health outcomes.

Five years after completing the second program, those who had participated twice showed:

• Less weight regain

• Lower accumulation of abdominal fat

compared with individuals who only joined a weight-loss program once.

What This Means for People Trying to Lose Weight

The results offer an encouraging message for anyone who has struggled with dieting.

Instead of viewing weight regain as complete failure, repeated efforts to improve diet and lifestyle may continue to benefit the body over time. Even if the scale fluctuates, internal health markers can still move in the right direction.

The research team included scientists from several major institutions, including Harvard’s Department of Nutrition, University Hospital Leipzig in Germany, and Tulane University’s School of Public Health.

Their findings suggest that persistence—not perfection—may be the key to long-term metabolic health.