Pakistan is seeing fresh pressure on household budgets, with new data showing that prices of essential goods continue to rise, driven largely by higher fuel costs and global tensions.
Figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics show that the Sensitive Price Indicator increased by 14.52 percent compared to the same period last year. The rise comes amid the ongoing Israel US conflict with Iran, which has affected global energy markets and added to local price pressures.
On a weekly basis, inflation moved up by 0.62 percent for the week ending April 30. The SPI stood at 354.23 points, up from 352.04 points a week earlier, suggesting that prices are still moving upward at a steady pace.
Fuel prices push overall costs higher
The latest increase was largely driven by a sharp jump in fuel prices. Diesel rose by 7.53 percent during the week, while petrol increased by 7.18 percent. These hikes have a wider impact, as transport costs rise and feed into the prices of food and other daily items.
Food prices also added to the burden. Wheat flour went up by 4.74 percent, potatoes by 1.39 percent, and bread by 0.75 percent. Other items such as pulses, meat, milk, bananas and even cigarettes also recorded increases, making it harder for families to manage their daily spending.
The SPI, which tracks 51 essential items across 17 cities, gives a snapshot of how different income groups are affected. The lowest income group saw a smaller weekly increase of 0.17 percent, but higher income groups faced sharper rises, with the top category recording an increase of 0.83 percent.
Mixed trend offers limited relief
Not all items became more expensive. Some relief came from falling vegetable prices, with tomatoes dropping by 17.17 percent and chicken prices falling by 6 percent. Garlic, eggs, LPG and some pulses also became slightly cheaper during the week.
However, these declines were not enough to offset the broader upward trend.
On a yearly basis, the rise in prices is even more striking. Petrol prices have jumped by 54.44 percent compared to last year, while electricity charges are up by 52.58 percent. Diesel and LPG have also seen steep increases.
Food inflation remains a major concern. Wheat flour prices have surged by 44.57 percent, while onions are up by nearly 40 percent. Meat, powdered milk and spices have also become more expensive over the year.
Some items have become cheaper over time, including potatoes, which have dropped by 46.68 percent, along with sugar and certain pulses. Still, these declines have not been enough to ease overall inflation.
The latest figures suggest that while there are occasional dips in some food prices, the overall cost of living remains high. Energy costs continue to play a key role, and without relief on that front, price pressures are likely to persist in the coming weeks.
Read next: Essential food items drive increase in weekly inflation
