ISLAMABAD: The upward pressure on the cost of living persists across Pakistan, with the latest data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) indicating a 0.49% increase in weekly inflation.
According to the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) report released for the week, the annual inflation rate was recorded at 9.66%. The short-term trend highlights notable shifts in essential food commodities and energy products over the week.
Key price increases were observed in onions, which surged by 14.17%, petrol up by 3.77%, chicken up by 3.35%, garlic up by 2.00%, and gram lentils up by 0.63%. Conversely, some items fell, including eggs down 5.78%, diesel down 5.15%, and tomatoes down 4.99%.
When compared to the corresponding week of the previous year, the SPI report tracks massive spikes in staple vegetables and utilities, alongside relief in a few select items.
Major annual hikes include onions up 132.52%, tomatoes up 93.21%, wheat flour up 62.25%, LPG up 51.69%, and diesel up 33.08%. On the other hand, major annual declines were recorded for potatoes down by 30.01%, sugar down by 19.10%, chicken down by 17.68%, and eggs down by 17.41%. Out of the 51 essential items tracked in the basket, prices of 23 items increased, 10 decreased.
