KARACHI, Sept 19: The Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) on Thursday increased the prices of oil products by 20 to 34 paisa per litre after putting on hold the price revision for four days.

The ex-depot sale price of petrol was increased by 34 paisa to Rs34.66 per litre, high octane blending component (HOBC) by 34 paisa to Rs39.13 per litre, kerosene by 20 paisa to Rs18.61 per litre and light diesel oil (LDO) by 28 paisa per litre to Rs16.93 per litre.

The PSO and Shell also raised the price of diesel by 1.4 per cent, thus making a total increase of 3.5 per cent since Sept 1, 2002. The PSO’s new diesel price is Rs19.76 per litre, up 28 paisa from the previous rate of Rs19.48 per litre.

Shell has fixed the diesel price at Rs19.75, higher by 28 paisa when compared with the just-revised price of Rs19.47.

Caltex has set the rate at Rs19.76 per litre, up 27 paisa from Rs19.49 per litre.

In the last one year (from Sept 2001 to Sept 2002), petrol and diesel have become costlier by 9.54 per cent and 9.54 per cent.

The rupee has gained strength by seven to eight per cent against the US dollar in the last one year, thus offsetting the impact of rising oil price by $1-2 per barrel in the international markets.

Consumers have been witnessing persistent surge in oil prices since the referendum process was over on April 30.