Islamabad, Oct 4: Rising Food Prices Drive Weekly Inflation Increase in Pakistan. According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Sensitive Price Index (SPI)-based inflation for the week ending on October 3, 2024, increased by 0.44 percent primarily as a result of price increases for tomatoes (18.51 percent), onions (5.89 percent), chicken (3.72 percent), wheat flour (3.63 percent), and LPG (0.98 percent).
Twenty (39.21 percent) of the 51 goods had steady prices during the week, while the prices of 10 (19.61 percent) and 21 (41.18 percent) of the items saw price increases.
The year-over-year trend shows a 13.18 percent increase in gas charges for Q1, pulse gram (65.33 percent), onions (43.49 percent), tomatoes (41.58 percent), powdered milk (25.36 percent), beef (24.97 percent), chicken (24.90 percent), shirting (20.17 percent), pulse moong (16.29 percent), salt powder (15.38 percent), georgette (13.81 percent), and energy saver (12.87 percent). Conversely, there is a significant decrease in the prices of wheat flour (35.67 percent), petrol (23.51 percent), diesel (22.48 percent), chilies powder (20.00 percent), cooking oil 5 liter (10.74 percent), rice basmati broken (10.34 percent), pulse masoor (7.90 percent), vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (6.04 percent), gur (5.66 percent), and LPG (3.94 percent).
Weekly inflation in Pakistan has surged primarily due to rising food prices. Key food items, such as vegetables, fruits, and essential commodities like wheat and sugar, have seen substantial price hikes, leading to a significant increase in the Sensitive Price Index (SPI). The ongoing supply chain issues, seasonal changes, and increased fuel costs are contributing to the price volatility, affecting households across the country.
