ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s weekly inflation rate rose sharply after a significant increase in fuel prices, with the annual rate reaching 6.44 percent, according to the latest report released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The report revealed that prices of 14 essential commodities increased during the week, while nine items recorded a decline.
Fuel costs saw the steepest rise. Petrol prices jumped by 20.60 percent on a weekly basis, while diesel prices increased by 19.54 percent. The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) also went up by 12.13 percent.
Among food items, onion prices climbed by 9.63 percent and flour became 1.28 percent more expensive. Chicken prices rose by 0.66 percent, while mash pulses increased by 0.55 percent. Other items that registered price hikes included bananas, firewood, gram pulses, and fresh milk.
However, some commodities provided slight relief to consumers. Tomato prices dropped by 3.66 percent, while potatoes became cheaper by 2.86 percent during the week. Small reductions were also recorded in the prices of garlic, rice, and masoor pulses.
Last week, the federal government announced a substantial increase in petroleum prices, raising both petrol and diesel rates by Rs55 per litre. Officials stated that the decision was driven by rising international oil prices amid growing tensions in the Middle East.
