ISLAMABAD: The country recorded a 0.07% increase in weekly inflation, while the overall annual inflation rate climbed to 3.53%, according to the latest update released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The Bureau issued its weekly Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) report, outlining changes in the prices of essential commodities across various markets.
The report noted that during the current week, prices of 16 essential items increased, 13 items became cheaper, and the prices of 22 commodities remained unchanged, reflecting a mixed trend in consumer markets nationwide.
According to PBS, tomatoes witnessed the most significant hike, with prices surging by 57.03%, followed by notable increases in garlic (2.61%) and sugar (2.23%).
The prices of bananas rose by 0.72%, while tea recorded a 0.59% increase. Furthermore, the cost of diesel, beef, cooking oil, LPG, and firewood also moved upward during the week, adding pressure to household budgets.
At the same time, several essential food items saw a welcome decline in prices. Onion prices dropped by 12.38%, while chicken became cheaper by 8.07%.
The report highlighted reductions in the prices of potatoes, wheat flour, eggs, moong dal, and chana dal, contributing to slight relief for consumers in certain categories.
