The short-term inflationary pressure in Pakistan witnessed a notable uptick as the Sensitive Price Index rose by 1.01 percent for the week ending April 2. According to the latest data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, this upward movement was primarily fueled by a sharp spike in energy costs and essential poultry items. Liquefied Petroleum Gas emerged as the biggest driver of this increase, with its price surging by a significant 13.28 percent within a single week. This jump in fuel costs was accompanied by a rise in the prices of eggs and chicken, which grew by 2.33 percent and 2.23 percent, respectively.
Beyond the energy and poultry sectors, several other kitchen staples contributed to the weekly inflationary trend. The cost of pulse mash increased by 1.74 percent, while mutton prices rose by 1.54 percent. Daily dairy essentials, including fresh milk and curd, saw modest hikes, alongside slight price adjustments in the textile sector for materials such as georgette and lawn. A detailed breakdown of the SPI basket reveals that out of 51 monitored items, 15 commodities saw price hikes, while 27 items remained stable. This indicates that while more than half of the basket maintained price consistency, the sharp increases in high-weightage items like LPG heavily influenced the overall index.
Conversely, some relief was observed in the vegetable market, providing a necessary balance to the household budget. Tomatoes saw a significant price reduction of 6.03 percent, followed by garlic at 3.38 percent. Other items showing a downward trend included potatoes, onions, and wheat flour. On a year-on-year basis, the inflationary picture remains challenging with a total increase of 9.12 percent. This annual surge is largely attributed to the massive 53.69 percent jump in LPG prices over the last twelve months, coupled with higher costs for diesel and petrol. While certain items like potatoes and pulses have become cheaper compared to last year, the escalating cost of energy and fuel continues to be the primary factor defining Pakistan’s current economic climate.
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