the rates of petroleum products in Pakistan are expected to decline from April 1 following a reduction in international crude oil prices. Oil marketing companies estimate that diesel prices could decrease by Rs15-20 per litre and petrol prices could decrease by Rs4-5 per litre. However, there is a possibility that the Finance Division may keep the prices unchanged. The federal government had raised the price of petrol to Rs272 per litre in its last fortnight bulletin, citing the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee against the US dollar and an increase in Platts Singapore prices. The new prices came into effect on March 16 and will remain in place till March 31. The Finance Division will announce the new rates on March 31, which will remain in place for the next 15 days.