The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said the Sensitive Price Indicator showed a slight weekly decline, down from 333.60 points last week. The change brought limited relief to consumers.
On a yearly basis, inflation pressure remained visible, with SPI increasing by 4.52%. Many households continue to face higher costs for essential goods.
The SPI measures prices of 51 essential items across 17 urban centres under the base year 2015–16 set at 100. It reflects spending patterns of all income groups.
For the lowest consumption group up to Rs17,732, the index declined by 0.15% to 323.80 points. Other consumption groups, including Rs17,733–22,888, Rs22,889–29,517, Rs29,518–44,175 and above Rs44,175, also recorded small decreases.
During the week, prices of 18 items increased, 9 items decreased, while 24 items remained unchanged.
Items showing weekly price increases included tomatoes, chicken, bananas, LPG, pulse mash, pulse gram, chilies powder, pulse moong, firewood, vegetable ghee 2.5Kg, shirting and cigarettes.
On the other hand, prices of potatoes, onions, wheat flour, eggs, gur, rice basmati broken and salt powder declined, helping limit the overall rise.
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On a yearly basis, sharp increases were recorded in eggs, tomatoes, wheat flour, gas charges, chilies powder, beef, firewood, LPG, powdered milk and bananas. Meanwhile, potatoes, garlic, onions, pulses, tea, chicken, diesel and petrol showed notable declines.
Weekly relief is small and fragile. Food prices remain uneven. Households still feel yearly inflation pressure.
