ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported a decrease of 1.39% in the weekly inflation measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) for combined consumption groups during the week ending on May 09.
According to PBS data, the SPI for this period stood at 312.56 points, compared to 316.95 points in the previous week. However, in comparison to the same week last year, there was a notable increase of 22.32% in the SPI for the combined consumption group.
The weekly SPI, based on a 2015-16 base year of 100, covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items across all expenditure groups.
In specific consumption groups, the SPI for the lowest group, up to Rs. 17,732, decreased by 0.99% to 303.24 points from the previous week’s 306.26 points. Similarly, the SPI for higher consumption groups also witnessed decreases: 1.00%, 1.35%, 1.49%, and 1.53% for groups ranging from Rs. 17,732-22,888, Rs. 22,889-29,517, Rs. 29,518-44,175, and above Rs. 44,175, respectively.
Among the 51 items surveyed, prices of 12 items increased (23.53%), 13 decreased (25.49%), and 26 remained stable (50.98%) during the week.
Notable decreases in average prices on a week-on-week basis were observed in onions (19.22%), chicken (18.83%), wheat flour (4.00%), and LPG (3.67%), among others. Conversely, tomatoes (19.24%), eggs (4.73%), and potatoes (4.38%) recorded increases.
On a year-on-year basis, significant decreases were seen in prices of bananas (38.79%), wheat flour (28.21%), and chicken (20.27%), while notable increases were observed in gas charges for q1 (570.00%), onions (118.58%), and tomatoes (101.24%), among others.
