Weekly Inflation in Pakistan Falls 0.35pc, Annual Rate Reaches 11.32pc: PBS

Weekly inflation in Pakistan declined by 0.35 per cent, while the annual inflation rate stood at 11.32 per cent, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

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The report showed mixed price movements during the week, with 15 essential commodities becoming more expensive and 12 recording price declines.

Tomatoes registered the highest weekly increase, with prices rising by 34.91 per cent. Potato prices increased by 3.27 per cent, diesel by 2.53 per cent and gram pulse (chana dal) by 2.11 per cent.

The price of plain bread also increased by 1.29 per cent during the week.

Tomato Prices Record Highest Weekly Increase

According to the PBS report, tomatoes experienced the sharpest weekly price increase among the listed essential commodities.

Other items that became more expensive included potatoes, diesel, gram pulse and plain bread.

However, quarterly electricity tariffs recorded a weekly decline of 3.92 per cent.

Several food and fuel items also became cheaper during the reporting period.

Chicken, Eggs and Flour Prices Decline

Live chicken prices fell by 2.95 per cent, while egg prices declined by 2.81 per cent.

Flour prices decreased by 0.83 per cent and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices dropped by 0.73 per cent.

Petrol prices recorded a decline of 0.39 per cent, while sugar became cheaper by 0.35 per cent. Powdered milk prices also decreased by 0.33 per cent.

LPG and Electricity Tariffs See Major Annual Increases

Despite the weekly decline in inflation, several essential commodities recorded substantial increases on a year-on-year basis.

LPG registered the highest annual increase, with prices rising by 106.86 per cent.

Quarterly electricity tariffs increased by 52.38 per cent, while diesel and petrol prices rose by 45.13 per cent and 43.61 per cent, respectively.

Flour prices increased by 34.87 per cent year-on-year, while chicken prices recorded an increase of 31.72 per cent.

These figures highlight the continued pressure on household budgets despite the marginal weekly decline in overall inflation.

Potatoes, Tomatoes and Eggs Become Cheaper Year-on-Year

The PBS report also showed annual price declines in several commodities.

Potato prices fell by 38.67 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year. Tomato prices declined by 27.99 per cent, while eggs became cheaper by 26.70 per cent.

Sugar prices recorded a year-on-year decrease of 25.21 per cent.

Among pulses, masoor dal prices declined by 8.37 per cent, while moong dal prices fell by 6.42 per cent.

The latest figures indicate that although weekly inflation has eased slightly, consumers continue to face higher prices for several essential food and energy items compared with last year.