The Federal Bureau of Statistics has reported a 0.17% rise in inflation in Pakistan over the past week, pushing the annual inflation rate to 20.09%.
Prices for 19 essential items have surged, affecting many households’ cost of living. Key commodities such as chicken, garlic, daal channa, eggs, meat, milk, firewood, and cigarettes have seen notable price increases. However, the prices of eight items, including tomatoes, onions, wheat flour, potatoes, daal masoor, and LPG, have decreased.
The data reveals significant annual price hikes for several essentials:
- Onions: Up by 96%
- Daal channa: Up by 40%
- Dry milk: Up by 39%
- Garlic: Up by 35%
- Moong daal: Up by 29%
- Beef: Up by 24%
- Salt: Up by 23%
- Maash daal: Up by 22%
One of the most dramatic increases has been in gas charges, which have soared by 570% over the past year, greatly impacting household expenses.
While many items have become more expensive, there are also some decreases. Wheat flour is now 32% cheaper, cooking oil has dropped by 13.44%, ghee by 10.42%, and eggs by 5.82%. Additionally, basmati rice, tea, and mustard oil have also seen price reductions.
The latest data from the Federal Bureau of Statistics highlights the volatile nature of commodity prices in Pakistan, with significant fluctuations affecting both consumers and the broader economy.
