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In just one week, inflation rate sees a sharp rise

Inflation Rate Crosses 5 Percent

Within just seven days, Pakistan has witnessed a steep surge in inflation, pushing the overall rate above 5 percent. This sudden jump has created alarm among the public, as the prices of several essential commodities have risen sharply, increasing pressure on household budgets.

PBS Report Highlights Price Hikes

According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the weekly inflation rate, measured through the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), climbed from 3.57 percent to 5.07 percent. The report states that the prices of 23 essential items increased, the prices of 4 items decreased, while 24 items remained unchanged during this period.

Essential Commodities Become Costlier

The data shows that food and kitchen staples witnessed the most significant hikes. Tomatoes became the most expensive, with prices soaring by 46.03 percent in a single week. Wheat flour followed with an increase of 25.41 percent, while onions rose by 8.57 percent, garlic by 2.04 percent, and potatoes by 1.38 percent. Mung lentils also saw a rise of 1.29 percent, basmati broken rice by 2.62 percent, bread by 1.19 percent, LPG by 0.88 percent, and long cloth by 0.17 percent.

Items That Became Cheaper

Despite the overall inflationary pressure, a few items showed a decline in prices. Bananas became cheaper by 3.86 percent, diesel by 0.91 percent, sugar by 0.13 percent, and mustard oil by 0.10 percent. However, these minor decreases were not enough to offset the sharp rise in food staples.

Impact on Income Groups

The burden of inflation varied across different income groups, with lower- and middle-income households facing the greatest impact. For families earning up to Rs. 17,732 per month, inflation rose by 2.01 percent, taking their effective inflation rate to 5.60 percent. Those earning between Rs. 17,733 and Rs. 22,888 experienced an increase of 1.90 percent, reaching 6.09 percent. Similarly, households with incomes of Rs. 22,889 to Rs. 29,517 saw inflation rise by 1.60 percent, reaching 6.03 percent. Families earning between Rs. 29,518 and Rs. 44,175 faced an increase of 1.48 percent, raising their rate to 5.82 percent. Interestingly, the highest-income group, earning above Rs. 44,176, faced a smaller impact, with inflation rising by 0.99 percent, bringing their rate to 3.78 percent.

Economists Raise Concerns

Economic experts have expressed concern that such a sudden increase in inflation could mark the beginning of another inflationary wave. They warn that the rising prices of wheat flour, vegetables, and LPG—commodities directly linked to everyday survival—are eroding the purchasing power of the common man. For lower- and middle-income households, this trend could worsen the cost-of-living crisis, making basic food and fuel increasingly unaffordable. Unless effective price control measures are introduced, experts fear the situation may escalate into a new inflationary storm in the coming weeks.