Aamna Aamna 
This weekly inflation rate as captured by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) was 3.97%YoY. The latest Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) pointed to a hike in the prices of essential commodities including sugar, chicken, and onion. Nonetheless, the WoW inflation rate reduced to 0.07% from the previous week, meaning consumers are getting a slight reprieve.
Key Commodities Witness Sharp Price Increases
Prices of sugar went up for the fifth week in a row to retail at Rs. 1.31 kg more. In the same measure, the chicken went up by Rs. 42.07 per kilogram, onions cost increased by Rs. 6.37 per kilogram, and ghee by Rs. 7.73 for a 2.5-kilogram tin. Some of the other necessities that the price increases include beef, pulses, and basmati rice. These rises can be explained by supply chain disruptions with changes in seasons.
On the one hand, some comfort could be gained from a decline in the cost of tomatoes by Rs. 34.41 per kg and potatoes by Rs 6.32 per kg. The prices of eggs, garlic, and wheat flour also went a little down during the week.
Mixed Trends in Inflation Amid Economic Pressures
Nevertheless, widening from 0.0% YoY, the daily decrease of 0.07 percent explains the stability of some commodities prices. According to economists policies and fiscal measures can be used to curb inflation rates. However, each new increase in the necessary goods points to the problems of popular households.
The data on PBS is a leading indicator of economic conditions and an important tool to reflect the performance of inflation containment measures by the government. They indicate that interventions in agriculture and imports could assist in controlling such price oscillation.
