Tensions in the Middle East are beginning to have a deeper impact on Pakistan, with inflationary pressures accelerating further in the second week after Ramadan.
The trend of rising inflation has been observed over the past several weeks. In the current week, inflation increased by 1.01 percent, compared to a 0.97 percent rise in the previous week, while the week before that also recorded an increase of 0.21 percent.
On a year-on-year basis, the inflation rate for the current week rose from 8.24 percent to 9.12 percent. During the same period, 15 essential items became more expensive, prices of 9 essential items declined, while prices of 27 essential items remained stable.
The Federal Bureau of Statistics has released its weekly inflation report, according to which items that became more expensive during the week include mutton, tomatoes, beef, eggs, milk and live chicken.
According to the report, prices of LPG increased by 13.28 percent, eggs by 2.23 percent, chicken by 2.13 percent, masoor and mash pulses by 1.74 percent, mutton by 1.54 percent, fresh loose milk by 0.63 percent, yogurt by 0.60 percent, georgette fabric by 0.42 percent, beef by 0.39 percent, and masoor dal by 0.28 percent.
Prices of potatoes declined by 1.22 percent, tomatoes by 6.03 percent, onions by 1.21 percent, garlic by 3.38 percent, sugar by 0.15 percent, mustard oil by 0.33 percent, and flour by 0.92 percent.
The data further shows that during the current week, on a year-on-year basis, inflation for households earning up to Rs17,732 per month rose by 7.46 percent, while those earning between Rs17,733 and Rs22,888 saw a rise of 9.28 percent. For households earning between Rs22,889 and Rs29,517, inflation increased by 8.24 percent, while for those earning between Rs29,518 and Rs44,175, it rose by 7.92 percent. For households earning above Rs44,176 per month, inflation increased by 8.70 percent.