Pakistan’s weekly inflation showed a slight easing as prices of several essential items declined, offering short-term relief to consumers already under pressure.
According to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Sensitive Price Indicator fell by 0.48 percent during the latest week compared to the previous one. However, on a year-on-year basis, inflation remained higher, with the SPI rising by 4.18 percent.
Mixed movement in essential items
Out of 51 essential items tracked, prices of 12 items went up during the week, while 11 items became cheaper. The remaining 28 items saw no change.
Among food items, tomatoes recorded the sharpest weekly increase, rising by nearly 10 percent. Banana prices also moved higher, while wheat flour and eggs saw modest increases. Firewood, pulses and some clothing items, including shirting, also became slightly more expensive.
In contrast, chicken prices dropped sharply by over 16 percent, providing some relief to households. Potato and onion prices also fell, while LPG became cheaper during the week. Cooking oil, vegetable ghee, salt and gur also recorded small declines.
Yearly trend still shows pressure
Despite the weekly drop, the year-on-year picture shows that many daily-use items remain costly. Wheat flour recorded the highest annual increase, rising by more than 38 percent compared to the same period last year. Egg prices were also much higher, while gas charges, beef, chilli powder and firewood showed notable increases.
Tomatoes, powdered milk, gur and certain clothing items also remained more expensive than a year ago.
On the other hand, several food items were significantly cheaper on an annual basis. Potato prices plunged by over 47 percent, while garlic and onions also saw steep declines. Chicken prices were lower compared to last year, along with pulses, tea, petrol and diesel.
Outside food items, the average price of a 50 kg bag of Sona urea stood at Rs4,344, slightly lower than last week and also below last year’s level. Cement prices moved up marginally, reaching Rs1,404 per 50 kg bag.
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