ISLAMABAD – Inflation in Pakistan continues to rise as the weekly inflation rate increased by 0.56%. This pushed the overall annual inflation rate to 4.07%. The Federal Bureau of Statistics released this update in its latest report. It shows how rising prices are affecting everyday consumers across the country. This comes despite earlier government estimates predicting lower inflation.
According to the report, prices of 19 essential items rose during the past week. Meanwhile, 12 items became cheaper, and 20 items remained stable. Tomatoes saw the biggest spike, with prices jumping by over 46%. Fuel prices also went up, with petrol increasing by 1.72% and high-speed diesel by 1.45%. The prices of garlic, onions, ghee, beef, and cigarettes also rose.
Read more: Inflation in Pakistan clocks in at 5.6% in Sept
On the other hand, some items became more affordable. Chicken prices dropped by 7.96%, while bananas became 0.78% cheaper. The prices of potatoes, lentils, cooking oil, and LPG also fell. However, the overall trend still points to rising inflation. The cost of living continues to put pressure on low- and middle-income families.
Earlier, in its monthly report released on October 1, the bureau noted a 2% rise in prices from August to September. This pushed the year-on-year inflation for September to 5.6%, which was higher than the Ministry of Finance’s estimate. The ministry had forecast inflation between 3.5% and 4.5% for the month.
From July to September 2025, the average inflation rate stood at 4.22%. Experts believe food and fuel prices will continue to drive inflation. Rising costs are raising concerns about the economic burden on citizens. The government may need stronger measures to keep essential items affordable in the coming months.