Islamabad( The COW News Digital) Inflation continues to squeeze Pakistani consumers as the prices of 20 essential commodities, including sugar, onions, and eggs, recorded a fresh increase over the past week, marking the fourth consecutive weekly surge in the country’s cost of living.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the weekly inflation rate rose by 0.22%, pushing the year-on-year increase to 5.03%. The latest Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI) report shows that while several household staples became more expensive, a few items saw slight relief in prices.
Among the key commodities, onion prices rose by Rs 5.81 per kilogram, eggs increased by Rs 7 per dozen, sugar by Rs 3.77 per kilogram, and garlic by Rs 3.84 per kilogram. Prices of tomatoes, fresh milk, lentils (masoor), and baby milk also went up during the week.
Meanwhile, some relief was noted in the prices of poultry, wheat flour, LPG, and pulses, which showed minor declines. Chicken meat fell by Rs 8.24 per kilogram, while the price of a domestic LPG cylinder dropped by Rs 3.78. The report also noted small decreases in the prices of mung lentils, wheat flour, and jaggery (gur).
The PBS report paints a mixed but concerning picture for the average household, already grappling with stagnant incomes and persistent inflationary pressures. Economists attribute the latest price hikes to supply chain disruptions, rising fuel costs, and import dependencies that continue to affect food commodities nationwide.
This week’s data also follows a broader pattern of uneven inflation trends: while the prices of gold and a few imported goods have recently declined, food inflation remains stubbornly high, disproportionately affecting lower-income groups.
Market observers note that the increase in sugar and milk prices is particularly troubling as these are staple items in most Pakistani homes. Seasonal factors, such as changes in crop yields and transportation costs, have further aggravated the situation.
Government officials have pledged to monitor the market more closely and crack down on hoarding and profiteering practices. However, analysts caution that without addressing structural inefficiencies in agriculture and energy pricing, temporary price controls are unlikely to provide lasting relief.
For now, ordinary citizens continue to bear the brunt of rising grocery bills — a reflection of the persistent challenge of inflation in Pakistan’s fragile economy
