ISLAMABAD: Despite official claims that inflation in Pakistan is slowing down, the prices of 17 essential commodities recorded an increase during the past week, according to the Federal Bureau of Statistics (FBS).
The bureau reported that while the overall inflation rate showed a downward trend for the third consecutive week, falling by 0.16% compared to the previous week, several basic household items became costlier. On a yearly basis, inflation declined from 4.17% to 3.95%.
Among the items that saw price hikes were tomatoes (up 9.04%), eggs (0.88%), wheat flour (0.76%), washing soap (0.47%), mutton (0.40%), vegetable ghee (0.16%), jaggery (0.64%), fresh milk (0.15%), yogurt (0.11%), and powdered milk (0.58%).
In contrast, prices of 11 commodities dropped, including onions (down 1.61%), potatoes (2.44%), chicken (12.46%), garlic (0.61%), bananas (4.22%), and several pulses. Prices of 23 items remained unchanged.
The FBS report also highlighted the impact across different income groups. For households earning up to PKR 17,732 per month, inflation increased slightly by 0.02%, reaching 3.75%.
Meanwhile, higher income brackets experienced a marginal decline in inflationary pressure, with households earning above PKR 44,176 seeing a 0.21% decrease, bringing their inflation rate to 3.21%.
Economists say the figures point to a mixed picture: while overall inflation is easing, volatility in essential food prices continues to put pressure on low- and middle-income households.
