Weekly inflation up 0.65pc as annual rate reaches 11.85pc

ISLAMABAD: Inflation has risen again in the country after a slight decline last week. The inflation rate rose by 0.65 per cent during the latest week, while the annual rate has reached 11.85 per cent.

According to the weekly report of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 19 essential items became more expensive during the week, 12 items became cheaper and the prices of 20 remained stable.

Year-on-year rise in prices

According to the bureau’s figures, the price of LPG rose by 107.12 per cent in one year. Electricity charges for the first quarter went up by 58.59 per cent year-on-year.

During the period under review, the price of petrol rose by 44.17 per cent and that of diesel by 41.56 per cent. In one year, the price of onions went up by 72.81 per cent, chicken by 38.99 per cent and flour by 36.49 per cent.

The price of chilli powder rose by 15.55 per cent annually, mutton by 14.66 per cent and beef by 12.10 per cent.

Situation last week

According to the report, inflation rose by 0.65 per cent last week. Chicken became costlier by 12.20 per cent, onions by 4.19 per cent and flour by up to 1 per cent. Bread, garlic, ghee, beef and mash pulse were also among the items that grew more expensive. LPG became costlier by up to 22.24 per cent last week.

According to the Sensitive Price Indicator, the annual rate of inflation differed for various income groups.

For the group with a monthly income of up to Rs17,732, the inflation rate rose by 0.51 per cent to 8.45 per cent.

For the group earning between Rs17,733 and Rs22,888 a month, it rose by 0.49 per cent to 10.37 per cent. For those earning between Rs22,889 and Rs29,517 a month, it rose by 0.54 per cent to 9.33 per cent.

For the group earning between Rs29,518 and Rs44,175 a month, the inflation rate rose by 0.56 per cent to 9.90 per cent. For those earning more than Rs44,176 a month, it rose by 0.74 per cent to 12.69 per cent.