Weekly inflation rises nearly 1pc as prices of 19 essential items go up

ISLAMABAD: Weekly inflation in Pakistan rose by nearly one per cent during the week ending July 10, according to official data. However, prices were slightly lower compared to the same week last year. 

The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported that the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for the combined income group increased by 0.95 per cent on a weekly basis. On a yearly basis, the SPI fell by 1.23 per cent. 

The index rose to 315.03 from 312.06 a week earlier. A year ago, it stood at 318.96. 

Out of 51 essential items tracked by PBS, 19 saw price hikes, 6 became cheaper, while 26 remained unchanged. 

The biggest weekly increases came from chicken (up 22.61 per cent), tomatoes (13.45 per cent), onions (6.25 per cent), and potatoes (2.79 per cent). Sugar, garlic, gur, and broken basmati rice also became slightly more expensive. 

On the other hand, some relief was seen in cooking fuels and pulses. LPG prices dropped by 2.56 per cent, mustard oil by 0.81 per cent, and moong pulse by 0.41 per cent. Wheat flour and vegetable ghee also fell, though only by 0.02 per cent. 

On an annual basis, several items recorded sharp drops. Onion prices fell by 50 per cent, tomatoes by 45.7 per cent, electricity charges by 37.6 per cent, and wheat flour by 22.2 per cent. Pulses, tea, and diesel also cost less than a year ago. 

Still, some products have become more expensive over the past year. Prices of ladies’ sandals surged by 55.6 per cent. Sugar rose by 29.2 per cent, moong pulse by 18.9 per cent, and beef by 14.7 per cent. Chicken, gur, fabric, and firewood also posted increases. 

All income groups saw weekly price pressure. The SPI rose by 0.88 per cent for the lowest-income group and by 1.06 per cent for the highest. 

Over the year, the impact varied. The lowest-income group saw almost no change, with a drop of just 0.04 per cent. In contrast, the highest-income group faced a 2.79 per cent rise. 

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