KARACHI: The country’s short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), showed a modest decline of 0.26 percent for the week ending January 2, 2025, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said. According to data released on Friday.
For the same week, year-on-year inflation was recorded at 3.97 percent, indicating continued price pressure despite the weekly decline.
Among food items, tomato prices fell significantly by 13.48%, followed by Q1 (7.48%), potatoes (5.59%), and including chickpeas (-0.34%) and mash (-0.05%). Reduced electricity charges for multiple pulses. Slight declines were also noted in prices of eggs (-0.23%), garlic (-0.21%), LPG (-0.18%) and wheat flour (-0.09%).
In contrast, chicken prices increased by 10.28%, the highest weekly increase, followed by onion (4.93%), banana (1.68%) and diesel (1.18%). Other notable additions include sugar (0.95%), mung dal (1.08%) and vegetable ghee in 2.5kg and 1kg packs (0.53% and 0.28% respectively).
Out of 51 essential commodities monitored, prices of 18 commodities (35.29%) increased, 10 commodities (19.61%) decreased and 23 commodities (45.1%) remained stable.
Year-on-year data shows that tomato is the biggest contributor to inflation, with a price increase of 77.84%, followed by potato (66.63%), pulses (47.53%) and women’s sandals. (75.09%) increased significantly. However, substantial relief was seen in prices of wheat flour (-36.12%), onion (-29.95%), and eggs (-15.78%).
The impact of inflation varied across income groups, with the lowest quintile (monthly income up to Rs 17,732) experiencing a weekly decline of 0.51 per cent, while the highest income group (monthly income above Rs 44,175) A slight decrease of 0.10 percent was recorded in
The data indicate mixed trends in commodity prices, reflecting seasonal factors, supply chain dynamics and policy measures taken to stabilize inflation.
Pakistan’s inflation rate in December 2024 eased to 4.07 percent from 4.86 percent in November, a dramatic drop from 29.66 percent a year ago, according to data released on Wednesday. It marked the lowest rate of inflation in nearly seven years and the fifth consecutive month of single-digit inflation — a milestone last achieved in early 2021.
According to PBS, the average inflation rate fell to 7.22 percent in the first half (July-December) of FY2024-25, a stark contrast to 28.79 percent during the same period last year.
Economists cite stable commodity markets, better supply chains, and a relatively stable rupee as driving factors, though they also credit a “fundamental effect” from last year’s high inflation rate.