Pakistan’s short-term inflation eases further

Pakistan’s weekly inflation saw a decrease of 0.04% for the week ending on February 13, according to the latest data.

Significant declines were recorded in the prices of several commodities, including tomatoes (8.80%), tea (4.46%), onions (3.97%), pulse gram (1.91%), potatoes (1.54%), pulse moong (1.47%), liquefied petroleum gas (0.86%), wheat flour bags and gur (0.67% each).

Conversely, notable price increases were observed in bananas (9.37%), chicken (3.62%), eggs (2.38%), garlic (1.47%), sugar (0.76%), mutton (0.47%), beef (0.32%), pulse mash (0.21%), cooking oil 5 liters (0.11%) and fresh milk (0.04%).

Year-on-year data indicated an overall increase of 0.98% in the SPI.

The January monetary policy statement acknowledged a gradual improvement in economic activity and projected inflation to remain within the target range of 5-7%.

Analysts have cautioned that external risks, including volatile global oil prices, revenue shortfalls, and uncertain financial inflows, could impact credit expansion and overall economic stability.