Short-term inflation in Pakistan saw a slight decline in the week ending April 23, offering some relief to consumers as prices of key kitchen items and fuels moved lower.
Data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics showed the Sensitive Price Indicator fell by 0.33 percent compared to the previous week. The drop was mainly driven by a sharp fall in vegetable prices, with tomatoes leading the decline. Onion prices also moved down, while diesel and LPG became cheaper during the week.
Other everyday items such as garlic, bananas, wheat flour, sugar and mustard oil also recorded small reductions, helping bring overall prices down.
However, the relief was not across the board. Potato prices increased during the week, along with bread, washing soap and cooking oil. Some rise was also seen in the prices of eggs, chicken and mutton, adding pressure on household budgets.
Overall, the weekly data showed mixed movement. Out of 51 essential items tracked, prices of 19 increased, nine declined, while 23 remained unchanged.
Annual trend still high
Despite the weekly dip, inflation remained elevated on a yearly basis. The SPI recorded a rise of 13.98 percent compared to the same period last year.
Energy costs were a major factor behind the annual increase. Electricity charges, LPG, petrol and diesel all posted strong gains over the year. Food items such as wheat flour, onions, tomatoes, chillies, meat and powdered milk also became more expensive.
At the same time, some items offered relief when compared to last year. Potato prices dropped sharply, while pulses, sugar and tea also saw noticeable declines.
In the construction and agriculture sectors, prices showed mixed trends. The average price of Sona urea reached Rs4,566 per 50kg bag, slightly higher than the previous week and also up from last year. Cement prices, on the other hand, eased to Rs1,536 per bag on a weekly basis, though they remained higher compared to a year ago.
The Sensitive Price Indicator tracks weekly price changes of essential goods across multiple cities and is used to gauge short-term inflation trends. It gives policymakers a quick view of how prices are moving and where pressure on households is building.
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