ISLAMABAD: According to The Express Tribune, the latest Pakistan Bureau of Statistics data show short-term inflation has stayed above 10% for several straight weeks. The combined index stood at 372.43, against 372.58 a week earlier and 334.39 in the same week last year.
Energy remains the main driver. The report says petrol was 49.60% dearer than a year ago, diesel 43.98% and LPG 68.95%, while first-quarter electricity charges were up 58.59%. It links the rise to the US-Iran war, disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and Houthi attacks on regional supply routes.
Among food items, onions rose 75.19% year-on-year, wheat flour 35.13% and chicken 20.77%. On the other hand, tomatoes were 63.65% cheaper, potatoes 39.93%, sugar 23.20% and eggs 19.83%.
Week-on-week, prices of 23 of the 51 items rose, seven fell and 21 were unchanged. Gram pulse climbed 4.97%, wheat flour 3.36% and chicken 3.31%, while tomatoes fell 23.05% and onions 4.90%.
The lowest-income group saw an 8.19% annual increase, while the highest-spending group faced 12.09%. The SPI tracks 51 essential items across 50 markets in 17 cities.
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