Inflation in Pakistan is accelerating again, with the weekly inflation rate rising by 0.73 percent and the annual inflation reaching 4.32 percent, according to the latest report from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The weekly price review shows that 14 essential items became more expensive, while prices of 12 items fell, and 25 items remained stable. Notably, tomatoes fell by 28 percent, onions by 10 percent, and potatoes by 4.58 percent. Other items that became cheaper include salt, chickpeas, garlic, eggs, and flour.
However, prices of moong dal, ghee, cooking oil, and powdered milk increased. Other goods showing price hikes include sugar, jaggery, beef, electricity, LPG, cigarettes, and firewood. In major cities, sugar is currently being sold between Rs 179 and Rs 220 per kilogram. The report also highlighted that electricity tariffs for lower-income households rose by more than 11 percent.
The PBS report further breaks down inflation impact by income groups. Households earning up to Rs 17,732 per month saw inflation rise 3.85 percent, a slight decrease of 0.094 percent from the previous period. For households earning Rs 17,733 to Rs 22,888, inflation rose 4.70 percent, up 0.99 percent. Middle-income households earning Rs 22,889 to Rs 29,517 faced 4.60 percent inflation, while those earning Rs 29,518 to Rs 44,175 experienced 4.40 percent inflation. The highest income bracket, earning above Rs 44,176, saw a 3.79 percent increase, up 0.60 percent.
The report underscores a widening impact of inflation on households across income levels, highlighting continued pressure on both essential goods and utility costs.
