ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s short-term inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), declined by 1.92% for the week ended April 24, 2025, compared to the previous week, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). On a year-on-year basis, SPI fell by 3.52%, indicating continued easing in consumer prices.
Out of 51 essential items tracked, prices of 11 items (21.57%) increased, 18 items (35.29%) decreased, while 22 items (43.14%) remained unchanged.
The weekly decline was largely driven by lower electricity charges for Q1 (down 19.17%), alongside sharp drops in the prices of chicken (11.75%), wheat flour (5.68%), garlic (4.66%), bananas (3.51%), onions (1.93%), and LPG (1.09%).
However, some items recorded marginal increases, including potatoes (6.94%), eggs (0.66%), salt powder and cigarettes (0.51% each), and gur (0.37%).
Compared to the same week last year, major declines were observed in the prices of onions (down 69.78%), tomatoes (40.77%), garlic (31.96%), wheat flour (30.70%), and electricity (29.40%). Fuel prices also continued their downtrend, with petrol down 13.24% and diesel 10.85% lower year-on-year.
On the flip side, certain household and food items have seen substantial increases over the past year. These include ladies sandals (up 55.62%), pulse moong (26.85%), powdered milk (23.11%), and beef (18.64%). Sugar, vegetable ghee, cooked daal, and fabric items like printed lawn and georgette also recorded double-digit annual price hikes.
The lowest income group experienced a weekly inflation reduction of 1.81%, while the highest income group saw a marginal increase of 1.92%. On an annual basis, SPI declined for all income groups, with the sharpest fall of 3.85% recorded for the lowest income bracket.
