Weekly inflation climbs to 11.85% annually as LPG prices surge 22.44%

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weekly inflation increased by 0.65 per cent, while the annual inflation rate reached 11.85 per cent, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday.

The report showed that prices of 19 essential commodities increased during the week, while 12 items became cheaper. Prices of 20 essential commodities remained unchanged.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) recorded the sharpest weekly increase, rising by 22.44 per cent. Chicken prices increased by 12.20 per cent, while onions became 4.19 per cent more expensive.

The prices of shirting fabric and plain bread rose by 1.86 per cent and 1.66 per cent, respectively. Flour prices increased by 1 per cent during the week. Prices of garlic, firewood and ghee also recorded increases, according to the PBS report.

In contrast, tomato prices fell by 21.99 per cent during the week, registering the largest decline among the listed commodities. Petrol prices decreased by 3.63 per cent, while diesel became 1.68 per cent cheaper.

Banana prices declined by 2.42 per cent, while potatoes and gram lentils became cheaper by 1.38 per cent and 0.93 per cent, respectively. The report also recorded decreases in egg and powdered milk prices.

Annual inflation trends

On a year-on-year basis, LPG prices recorded the highest increase among the commodities highlighted in the report, surging by 107.12 per cent.

Onion prices rose by 72.81 per cent over the year, while electricity rates increased by 58.59 per cent. Petrol prices were up 44.17 per cent and diesel prices rose by 41.56 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Chicken prices increased by 38.99 per cent year-on-year, while flour became 36.49 per cent more expensive.

The report also showed annual price increases of 14.66 per cent for mutton and 12.10 per cent for beef. Plain bread prices rose by 10.82 per cent, while prepared tea became 8.36 per cent more expensive.

However, several commodities recorded substantial annual declines. Tomato prices fell by 71.72 per cent compared with the same period last year, while potato prices dropped by 40.75 per cent.

Sugar prices decreased by 25 per cent year-on-year, and egg prices declined by 22.14 per cent.

The latest figures show continued pressure on household budgets, with increases in the prices of key food items, cooking fuel and electricity contributing to the annual rise in inflation, despite reductions in the prices of some commodities.

According to the PBS, the weekly inflation rate rose by 0.65 per cent, while the year-on-year rate stood at 11.85 per cent.