Lahore – The latest weekly report of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has once again indicated an increase in inflationary pressures in the country. According to the report, inflation under the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) was recorded at 0.91 percent during the last week, while the overall rate has increased to 9.66 percent compared to the same period last year.
According to official data, out of the 51 basic necessities included in the weekly review, 22 items saw an increase in prices, 8 items became cheaper while the prices of 21 items remained stable. The report shows that consumers are facing price pressures in both the food and fuel sectors.
The most significant increase was in fuel prices, where the price of high-speed diesel increased by 15.87 percent while the price of petrol increased by 5.23 percent. According to experts, the increase in fuel prices not only increases transport costs but also has an impact on food items, agricultural production and industrial costs.
Tomatoes remained among the most expensive items in the food sector, with a price increase of 39.92 percent. Similarly, eggs became more expensive by 7.31 percent, while the price of potatoes increased by 3.70 percent and the price of LPG by 0.91 percent. According to the report, the prices of garlic, beef and several other essential food items also increased, which is likely to increase further pressure on the household budget.
However, the prices of all goods did not increase. According to the statistics agency, the price of chicken decreased by 4.66 percent and the price of bananas decreased by 1.72 percent. In addition, there was a slight decrease in the prices of sugar, rice and various types of pulses, which provided limited relief to some consumers.
Economists say that recent data shows that inflationary pressures have not completely disappeared. According to them, the increase in energy prices and fluctuations in crude oil prices in the global market may affect local prices in the future, while seasonal factors also cause changes in the prices of vegetables and agricultural commodities.
Experts further say that if the supply of food and energy remains stable and there is no unusual increase in prices, the pace of inflation may improve in the coming weeks. However, the current data reflects that many daily necessities are still becoming more expensive for consumers, due to which pressure on household spending persists.
According to analysts, the government’s economic measures, the situation in the global energy market and changes in agricultural supplies will affect the overall inflation trend in the coming weeks, while the purchasing power of consumers and business costs will also be associated with these factors.
