Pakistan weekly inflation rises 0.21% as chicken prices jump 7.25%

Pakistan’s weekly inflation rose 0.21% in the week ended October 1, with prices of 20 of the 51 essential items monitored increasing, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics on Friday.

The Sensitive Price Indicator, which tracks weekly changes in essential consumer prices, was 11.53% higher than a year earlier.

Overall, prices of 20 items increased and 10 declined, while the remaining 21 items were unchanged.

Which prices changed the most this week?

Chicken recorded the largest weekly increase, rising 7.25% from the previous week, while garlic became 1.85% more expensive.

Gram pulse prices increased 1.30% during the week, while liquefied petroleum gas rose 1.17%. Eggs became 0.72% more expensive and rice prices increased 0.55%.

Onion, washing soap and wheat flour prices also increased during the week, according to the statistics bureau.

At the other end, diesel recorded the largest decline among the monitored items, falling 3.43%.

Banana prices decreased 1.52%, while sugar fell 1.05%. Potatoes became 0.96% cheaper and petrol prices declined 0.65%.

The SPI provides a weekly snapshot of price movements in essential consumer goods and is separate from the broader monthly Consumer Price Index.