The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Friday issued data on short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), showing an increase of 13.08% year-on-year for the week ending July 16.
Prices of essential commodities have been on an upswing amidst mounting higher petroleum prices triggered by supply disruptions caused by the Iran war. The government’s shift to a daily price review for fuel prices would likely boost short-term inflation further in the coming days, as diesel fluctuations are considered highly inflationary.
The PBS data showed the SPI had increased—for the 66th consecutive week—by 1.40% compared to the previous week, signifying sustained pressures on the cost of living. The largest year-on-year increases were observed in electricity charges (49.14%), gas charges (29.85%), wheat flour (71.81%), and liquefied petroleum gas (42.50%).
Food inflation also remained elevated, with increases in the prices of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, mutton, beef and wheat flour.
According to the PBS, the largest price hikes over the past week were tomatoes (22.79%); chicken (14.66%); LPG (12.46%); diesel (4.41%); petrol (4.40%); garlic (3.72%); eggs (2.15%); tea Lipton (1.56%); onions (1.53%); potatoes (0.85%); tea prepared (0.42%); and firewood (0.18%).
Prices marginally decreased for bananas (0.80%), moong pulse (0.70%), sugar (0.36%), and masoor pulse (0.10%).
Year-on-year, tomato prices have increased 210.18%; onions 75.93%; wheat flour 71.81%; electricity charges 49.14%; LPG 42.50%; gas charges 29.85%; gents sponge chappal 16.69%; mutton 16.02%; chili powder 15.20%; beef 13.60%; bananas 10.82%; and bread plain 9.69%.
Meanwhile, year-on-year prices have decreased for potatoes by 36.28%; pulse gram 21.71%; sugar 21.10%; chicken 16.71%; salt powder 14.09%; masoor pulse 13.19%; eggs 12.42%; and moong pulse 8.08%.