The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) has reported a 0.24% increase in inflation on a week-on-week basis. The rise in prices has been driven by the increase in the costs of several essential items over the past week. The PBS data, released on Friday, indicates mixed trends in the prices of household goods and food items.
During the past week, prices of 9 essential items, including broiler chicken, eggs, and sugar, saw significant increases. For instance, broiler chicken prices rose by Rs. 40.15 per kilogram, and eggs became Rs. 18.27 more expensive per dozen. Additionally, the price of sugar saw an increase of Rs. 3.26 per kilogram, while beef became Rs. 16.28 costlier per kilogram.
Meanwhile, not all items experienced price hikes. The report highlights a decline in the prices of 17 items, including tomatoes, garlic, potatoes, and onions. Tomatoes saw a reduction of Rs. 4.61 per kilogram, while garlic prices dropped by Rs. 20.33. Potatoes and onions also saw slight decreases, with drops of Rs. 2.19 and Rs. 1.01 per kilogram, respectively.
The report also noted that the prices of 25 essential items, including rice, fresh milk, and yogurt, remained stable throughout the week. These stable prices have provided some relief to consumers amidst the fluctuations in other essential goods.
On a year-on-year basis, the overall inflation rate has decreased by 0.80%, reflecting a slight easing of price pressures compared to the same period last year. This indicates that while weekly inflation has increased, the broader trend over the past year is somewhat less alarming.
As the government continues to monitor these changes, experts suggest that further efforts are needed to control inflationary pressures and ensure stability in the prices of essential items, especially food.