ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s annual inflation rate rose to 11.53% while prices increased 0.21% on a weekly basis, according to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The PBS reported that prices of 20 items increased during the week under review, while 10 commodities became cheaper and prices of 21 items remained unchanged.
Chicken recorded the highest weekly increase, rising 7.25%, followed by garlic, which became 1.85% more expensive. The price of gram pulse increased by 1.30%.
Other items that recorded weekly price increases included liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which rose 1.17%, eggs 0.72% and rice 0.55%.
Inflation weekly increase and decrease:
| Category | Item | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly increase | Chicken | +7.25% |
| Weekly increase | Garlic | +1.85% |
| Weekly increase | Gram pulse | +1.30% |
| Weekly increase | LPG | +1.17% |
| Weekly increase | Eggs | +0.72% |
| Weekly increase | Rice | +0.55% |
| Weekly decrease | Diesel | -3.43% |
| Weekly decrease | Bananas | -1.52% |
| Weekly decrease | Sugar | -1.05% |
| Weekly decrease | Potatoes | -0.96% |
| Weekly decrease | Petrol | -0.65% |
| Annual increase | Onions | +114.20% |
| Annual increase | LPG | +66.59% |
| Annual increase | Electricity charges | +58.59% |
| Annual increase | Diesel | +44.50% |
| Annual increase | Petrol | +44.05% |
| Annual increase | Wheat flour | +32.65% |
| Annual decrease | Tomatoes | -45.52% |
| Annual decrease | Potatoes | -39.54% |
| Annual decrease | Sugar | -21.95% |
| Annual decrease | Eggs | -17.47% |
| Annual decrease | Powdered salt | -14.81% |
Several essential commodities, however, became cheaper during the week. Diesel prices declined 3.43%, while banana prices fell 1.52% and sugar became 1.05% cheaper.
Potato prices decreased 0.96%, petrol became 0.65% cheaper and the price of moong pulse fell 0.63%.
On a year-on-year basis, onions recorded the largest increase, with their price rising 114.20%. LPG became 66.59% more expensive, while electricity charges increased 58.59%.
Diesel prices surged 44.50% over the year, while petrol recorded a 44.05% increase.
The annual increase in the price of wheat flour stood at 32.65%, while chilli powder became 15.55% more expensive.
Several food items, however, recorded significant annual declines. Tomato prices fell 45.52% and potatoes became 39.54% cheaper compared with the same period last year.
Sugar prices declined 21.95% year-on-year, while egg prices dropped 17.47% and powdered salt became 14.81% cheaper.
The PBS data also showed that inflation had been recorded at 10.3% in September, highlighting continued pressure on household budgets despite declines in the prices of several food items.
