Pakistan’s short-term inflation climbs 15.16% YoY, driven by fuel costs

The Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI)-based weekly inflation increased by 0.79% during the week ended May 07, 2026, for the combined consumption group, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

According to PBS data, the SPI for the week under review rose to 357.04 points, compared to 354.23 points recorded in the previous week. On a year-on-year basis, the SPI increased by 15.16%.

The weekly SPI, with base year 2015-16 = 100, covers 17 urban centres and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group (up to ₨17,732) increased by 0.69% to 334.45 points from 332.16 points.

The SPI for consumption groups of ₨17,733–22,888; ₨22,889–29,517; ₨29,518–44,175; and above ₨44,175 increased by 0.77%, 0.76%, 0.83% and 0.80%, respectively.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 22 items (43.14%) increased, 14 items (27.45%) decreased, while 15 items (29.41%) remained stable.

A major increase was observed in the prices of chicken, which rose by 12.82%, followed by diesel by 5.10%, wheat flour by 3.42%, petrol by 1.66%, curd by 1.63%, fresh milk by 1.33%, beef by 0.65%, tea prepared by 0.53%, mutton by 0.50%, potatoes by 0.48%, washing soap by 0.12% and cigarettes by 0.08%.

On the other hand, prices of tomatoes declined by 7.08%, garlic by 1.91%, eggs by 1.22%, LPG by 1.08%, pulse masoor by 0.43%, onions by 0.38%, pulse gram by 0.36%, rice IRRI-6/9 by 0.30% and gur by 0.19%.

On a year-on-year basis, the SPI for the week under review increased by 15.16% compared to the corresponding week of last year.

During the period, major increases were recorded in the prices of petrol by 58.32%, diesel by 55.76%, electricity charges for Q1 by 52.58%, wheat flour by 50.65%, LPG by 48.82% and onions by 41.97%. Prices of mutton, chili powder, garlic, beef, powdered milk and bananas also increased.

Meanwhile, prices of potatoes declined by 44.58%, pulse gram by 20.29%, sugar by 13.76%, salt powder by 13.26%, pulse masoor by 11.74%, eggs by 7.88%, chicken by 1.80% and pulse moong by 1.60% compared to the same period last year, according to PBS data.